On his podcast Ready, Set, Go Justin Gatlin discussed Jamaica’s historic 4x100m relay run at the London 2012 Olympics, suggesting that the world record could have been faster with former world record holder Asafa Powell being on the team.

Powell, who set the 100m world record, missed out on joining Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Yohan Blake, and Usain Bolt in the record-breaking relay team due to a groin injury.

“Adding Asafa Powell to that already formidable line-up of Bolt, Blake, Carter, and Frater could have pushed the team to an even faster time,” Gatlin remarked on Powell’s absence, while the team still delivered Olympic gold, ‘what ifs’ were left in spectators minds.

“There is a difference between being an individual runner at the Olympics or World Championships and being part of a relay team,” he posited. “If you falter as an individual, it’s on you; but in a relay, it’s on the country’s back…”

In light of the difficulties in surpassing a world record in relay sports, Gatlin underlined the necessity of flawless alignment.

Reflecting on the Jamaican squad’s capabilities, Gatlin thinks a team inclusive of Powell could have delivered a 36.5-second record.

Gatlin predicted Team USA will break Jamaica’s 12-year-long 4x100m relay world record in 2024, emphasising the need for a perfect performance.