Imitation is the highest form of flattery, but if you're trying to mimick anything Usain Bolt does, it's an act of utter foolishness. U.S. sprinter Justin Gatlin learned that lesson the hard way Wednesday night, and it cost him a shot at a gold medal.
Gatlin, a silver medalist in the 100-meter dash, was expected to meet up with the Jamaican sensation in the 200 final at the Rio Olympics as well. However, Gatlin wound up placing third in his heat in the 200 semis and failed to qualify. The American looked as if he'd be a shoe-in to challenge Bolt, the world-record holder in the 100 and 200, but slowed up to look over his shoulder midway through the race, as Bolt had done minutes before, and the competition surpassed him.