Former Olympic champion Justin Gatlin returns from doping ban to win 100-meter heat in Estonia

Gatlin wins 100-meter heat in comeback in Estonia

RAKVERE, Estonia — Former Olympic champion Justin Gatlin has won a 100-meter qualifying heat, his first competitive race after a four-year doping ban.

The American finished in 10.34 seconds Tuesday to comfortably qualify for the final later in the day. None of the other sprinters was under 10 seconds in the Bigbank Kuldliiga meet in Estonia. Americans J-Mee Samuels and Rubin Williams finished first and second in the other heat.

Gatlin won the gold medal in the 100 at the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 100 and 200 at the 2005 world championships in Helsinki. He tested positive for excessive testosterone in 2006. The ban ended last month.