Bolt Sweeps the Track, Throws Carl Lewis under the Bus

He just made history by winning the 100 and 200-meter in consecutive Olympic Games. When he won gold yesterday at the 200-meter, he stood alongside countrymen Yohan Blake and Warren Weir. So what could Usain Bolt possibly be upset about? A remark Carl Lewis made four years ago.

It was during the 1988 Olympics that Ben Johnson of Canada took the gold in the 100-meter. However, he was soon found to be guilty of using steroids and so Lewis, who had taken silver in the event, was given the gold. Exactly two decades later, Lewis accused Bolt of the same thing — after watching Bolt’s time drop from 10.03 to 9.69 in just a year. No athlete, not even Bolt can do that, can they?

Not according to Lewis, who said after seeing Bolt’s stats, “If you don’t question that in a sport that has the reputation it has right now, you’re a fool.” Smart of Lewis to make the comment? Maybe not. But Bolt bringing it up, moments after winning his gold medal? Just pointless.

True, Bolt didn’t reach the topic of Lewis on his own. After his race a reporter asked him how it felt to be among the best runners in the world — and Lewis’ name was mentioned among them.

“I’ve lost all respect for him. All respect,” Bolt said. “It’s really amazing when people talk stupid stuff. Lewis, nobody remembers who he is.” Well, that’s not entirely true, either.

While it may be Bolt who’s currently enjoying his moment in the sun, he should remember that he too, will soon be an “athlete out of the sport.” And that even then he too, may still have opinions about it.

Categorized in: Olympics