Doha, Qatar (May 19, 2013) - Following a victorious run at the 2013 IAAF Diamond League in Doha last week, American Olympic Gold Medallist Justin Gatlin visited Aspetar on Monday, May 13 for a routine examination. Gatlin visited Aspire Zone last year and was impressed at the facilities and the spectrum of services that are provided. Returning to Doha for the 2013 Diamond League meet proved to be the perfect opportunity for Gatlin to visit Aspetar for a medical check-up.

“Having just started the season, I want to make sure that my body is in the best possible shape. It was an easy decision to come to Aspetar for a check-up. I wanted to be treated by the best sports physicians out there and Aspetar is the place to go,” Gatlin commented. Being a world-class athlete doesn’t rule out a fear of hospitals for Gatlin, but Aspetar’s staff helped ease the visit. “You know one thing that I fear when travelling, is hospitals in different countries, but Aspetar made me feel incredibly comfortable right away”.

He added, “Aspetar and its physicians made me feel that regardless of what is wrong, they can fix it. The wide range of specialties treated here is impressive; I have never been to a hospital quite like this.” Gatlin successfully kicked off the 2013 season at the Diamond League meet by winning the men’s 100 meters in 9.97 seconds, two hundredths ahead of fellow American athlete Michael Rodgers. Looking ahead to the next couple of months of competition, Gatlin hopes to make his country proud by taking home medals and breaking his personal record of 9.77 seconds in the 100 meter sprint. Competing in Qatar is something that Gatlin looks forward to because of the tranquillity that he has found in Doha. “I highly recommend training in Qatar to any athlete who wants to train in a peaceful environment. The weather is great and the services available for sporting athletes at Aspetar are exceptional,” praised Gatlin. Aspetar is the world’s leading specialised orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital and the first in the Middle East. Based in Doha, Qatar, since 2007, the hospital provides top-level comprehensive medical treatment to all athletes in a state-of-the art facility that sets new standards internationally. In 2009 Aspetar was officially accredited as a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence (F-MARC).