The Justin Gatlin Contrition Tour is coming to a track near you soon.
Earlier this month, Gatlin tore up the script to defeat Usain Bolt in the final of the 100 metres at the World Championships in London.
The American has previously failed two doping tests, and has become the perceived "bad boy" of athletics.
He returned to athletics from his second ban in 2010, and had failed to publicly apologise for his actions. That is, until this week.
Ahead of the penultimate Diamond League event of the year in Zurich this week, the 35-year-old sat down to speak to ITV News.
If they want an official apology, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I apologise for any wrongdoings or any black eyes I have brought onto the sport.
I love the sport. That's why I have come back to run, and try to run to the best of my abilities. For that, I've worked hard to right my wrongs.
The sprinter revealed the booing he received in London hurt him, especially during the medal ceremony, where he was given his gold medal. Gatlin does not want to have the feeling again.
It would be a great feeling not to be a villain. I've been called a bay boy,but I scratch my head at that. I don't do bad boy things.
With the retirement of Bolt, Justin Gatlin is now the most (in)famous sprinter in the world. While he knows he will never have the popularity of the Jamaican, he hopes to earn forgiveness from athletics fans.
Sprinter Justin Gatlin has a message for those who booed him after he won Gold at the World Championships this month https://t.co/YnbQBc010C pic.twitter.com/lkXXeTNlRI
— ITV News (@itvnews) August 22, 2017
You can watch to the full interview here.
