US Olympic Track Trials 2012: Justin Gatlin Sure to Test Usain Bolt in London

To the casual Olympic fan, this headline probably seems crazy. Usain Bolt is the real-life version of DC Comics' The Flash in many people's eyes, which will make it all the more impressive when America's Justin Gatlin gives Bolt a run for his money in the London Games.

While the high-profile Jamaican has been lighting the track world on fire, Gatlin has been fighting his way back into the sport after a four-year ban following a positive doping test.

It's been a long road for the 2004 Olympic gold medalist, but his 9.80-second run in the 100-meter dash at the U.S. Track and Field trials marked his personal record and all signs are pointing to a great comeback for the Florida native. That personal best also matches the fastest time in history for a man over the age of 30.

Tyson Gay and Ryan Bailey will also be in the race, with Gay a true threat to Bolt in his own right. Gatlin is looking straight beastly as of late with a victory at the Finnish Elite Games and second at the 2011 USA Track and Field Championships behind Walter Dix.

Bolt is five years younger and has the most recent experience on the world level, both in the Beijing Olympics and the last few years at the World Championships. All that being said, all eyes are going to be on the Jamaican when the runners take their places.

The man known as "Lightning Bolt" is the household name in the event, whereas Gatlin has been out of sight and mind for quite some time. The New York-born Gatlin has redemption on the mind. He heads into the Olympics with four sub-10 runs in the books in 2012 and is fresh off his personal-best time in the event.

Bolt is certainly the favorite in the upcoming 100 in London, but as any sports fan knows, the favorite does not always take home the gold.