Gatlin’s own future has been less certain, though he provided some clarity Friday night, not long after the U.S. 4×100 relay team was disqualified and lost out on bronze medal. Asked by a reporter how he felt here at his last Olympics, Gatlin quickly responded, “I never said it was my last.”

“This Olympics has made me hungry for world championships last year. I’m gonna rest well, start my process of training, getting stronger, hopefully getting faster,” he said. “I’m 34 — you guys are like, oh, he can’t be this fast at 34. But 35, I plan on running even faster. That’s my plan.”

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With three events on his schedule, Gatlin had high hopes coming into these Rio Games, his final chance to swipe Bolt’s crown on the sport’s largest stage. While he picked up a silver in the 100-meter race, he failed to reach the final of the 200 and on Friday night the 4×100 relay team was disqualified for a bad baton pass and saw its third-place finish wiped from the books.

“It was the twilight zone,” Gatlin said. “It was a nightmare.”

So just like London four years ago, he leaves here with just one new medal. He’s not yet ready to definitively say it will be his last, even though he’ll be 38 when the Tokyo Games roll around in 2020. For now, Gatlin says he’s taking everything year by year, and he can safely say he’ll still be on the track next year.