Jamaica's Usain Bolt Makes Olympic History

by John M. Curtis
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Copyright August 12, 2012
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           Setting an Olympic record Aug. 9 in the 200 meters, 25-year-old Jamaican Usain Bolt becomes the first man in history to win back-to-back 100 and 200 meters at the Olympic Games.  Launching his career at age 21 in Beijing, Bolt broke Jamaican Asafa Powell’s world record in New York City May 31, 2008 hitting 9.72, then a new world and Olympic record of 9.69 in Beijing August 16, 2008.  Bolt’s spectacular performance in Beijing established him as the fastest man in human history, setting the stage to become the greatest sprinter of all time in the 2012 London Olympics.  Bolt’s gold medals in London end any doubt as to his legacy.  Asked to comment about American back-to-back Olympic 100 meters champion and 9-time Olympic gold medal winner and former 100 meters world record holder Carl Lewis, Bolt paused.  “I’m going to say something controversial.”

            When Bolt finished winning his gold medal in Beijing breaking the world record at 9.69, Lewis raised questions about performance enhancing drugs.  “If you don’t question that in a sport that has the reputation it has right now, you’re a fool,” said Lewis “Period,” dumbfounded like so many others with Bolt’s performance.  Lewis questioned Bolt dropping his time in 2008 from 10.03 to his Olympic and world record of 9.69 in Beijing.  Lewis conveniently forgot about Bolt’s wind-dated time of 9.74 in Kingston, Jamaica May 3, 2008, adjusted up because of a 1.8 mph tailwind to 10.03.  When Bolt ran 9.72 May 31, 2008 in New York City, Lewis should have noticed that Bolt was the real deal.  “Carl Lewis, I have no respect for him,” said Bolt.  “The things he says about the track athletes are very downgrading.  I think he’s just looking for attention because nobody really talks about him,” said Bolt.

            Bolt’s ire toward Lewis was understandable when you consider how many times Bolt has been drug-tested and proved free of PEDs.  “All the drug stuff,” said Bolt, justifying his criticisms of the now 51-year-old retired American track-and-field icon.  When Lewis competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, he was beaten by Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson setting a new world record of 9.79.  When Johnson tested positive for steroids, Lewis was credited with the gold medal finishing in 9.92.  Having said that, Lewis still had no right to spoil Bolt’s Beijing performance.  If he chose to raise the issue of what happened to him in 1988, it would have been more palatable to Bolt.  Saying you’d have to be a “fool” to not consider steroids after Bolt’s world record performance was too much.  When you consider Bolt’s record-smashing performance, Lewis should have tempered his remarks.

            Calling the Jamaican track team the “Jamaican drug team,” an American sports writer continued the insults expressed by Lewis four years ago.  When asked whether his team was “clean,” Bolt replied “Without a doubt.”  “We train hard . . . We do our best to show the world we are clean,” said Bolt.  Bolt has said emphatically that by repeating in London wins at 100 and 200 meters, he’s secured his legacy as the greatest sprinter in Olympic and world history.  Lewis, a fiercely competitive U.S. athlete and 9-time Olympic gold medalist, had difficulty acknowledging Bolt’s superiority.  Calling himself a “living legend,” Bolt alienates U.S. sports media, too busy talking about the past to recognize Bolt’s greatness.  Instead of taking umbrage at Bolt’s comparisons to Mohammed Ali and Michael Jordan, the American media should pay respect to the world’s greatest sprinter.

            Finishing one, two and three in the 200 meters final Aug. 9 as Bolt predicted, the Jamaican team of Bolt, Yohan Blake and Warren Weir showed their sprinting superiority.  Reacting to Lewis’ skepticism, Bolt couldn’t contain his ire.  “Lewis, nobody remembers who he is . . . We [the Jamaicans] work hard, we push ourselves to the limit.  I shouldn’t have to respond to that,” said Bolt, referring to media questions of whether Usain knew Victor Conte, the infamous trainer and steroid peddler to various amateur and professional athletes.  Regardless of the jealousy, the American press should forgive Bolt’s harsh comments about Carl Lewis.  Lewis was out of line questioning in 2008 whether Bolt used steroids to shave precious fractions off his already record-breaking performances in 2008.  Bolt’s cockiness relates more to his need for recognition by the U.S. and foreign press.

            Watching Usain Bolt repeat as London’s 100 and 200 meters gold medalist proves he’s unquestionably the greatest sprinter in world history.  Despite losing to his countryman Yohan Blake at Jamaica’s Olympic trails, Bolt delivered when it counted at the London Olympics.  Taking a shot a Lewis wasn’t too sportsman-like but reflects Bolt’s politically incorrect personality.  Whether he’s egotistical or not, Bolt has a good sense of humor and likeability, creating considerable post-Olympic commercial appeal.  Instead of ripping Bolt for his trashing Lewis, the media should recall the context when Lewis dissed Bolt’s world record at Beijing.  Regardless of all the bravado, Bolt delivered the same results in London, proving beyond any doubt his legacy as the greatest sprinter of all time.  If Lewis can’t stomach Bolt’s status, it’s not his place to raise the steroid specter.

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news.  He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com.and author of Dodging the Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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