I support Bolt – he needed to hit back

TIMES INT'L

Dear Editor,
I am an ardent sporting fanatic, and I was kind of bemused by Usain Bolt’s taking a momentary break from basking in his triumphs, to fiercely criticise former U.S. athlete Carl Lewis. I support Bolt. His reaction is long overdue, and that is why I was so puzzled.
Soon after winning gold in the 200 metres (he had already took the 100), Bolt declared that he had “lost all respect” for Lewis, after the American was quoted as saying “Jamaica’s doping controls were not as strong as other countries.”
I add here that Lewis had predicted that the Americans would have dominated the London 2012 sprints. I point out here too that Lewis did opine very strongly that “something untoward” had to be the case with Bolt, as the Jamaican was “extra- stunning”.
These kinds of comments must bring about responses, and a stern reaction did come from Bolt at the Olympic Stadium. I inform readers here that no other athlete has won the 200m twice at the Olympics, although Lewis won the event in 1984 and finished second in the 1988 Games. So Bolt’s double is really a new high in sprinting history.
Read Bolt: “I’m going to say something controversial right now. Carl Lewis, I have no respect for him. The things he says about the track athletes is really downgrading for another athlete to say something like that. I think he’s just looking for attention, really, because nobody really talks much about him. That was really sad for me when I heard the other day what he was saying. It was upsetting. I’ve lost all respect for him. All respect.”
Asked which specific comments from Lewis made him angry, Bolt replied: “It was all about drugs. Talking about drugs. For me, an athlete out of the sport to be saying that. That was really upsetting for me. Really up setting. To jump up and say something like that. As far as I’m concerned he’s looking for attention.” My position is that when U.S. sprinters dominate, there is no questioning of achievements and athletes. Think of Justin Gatlin and Colin Montgomery and also Marian Jones. So what in the world is Carl Lewis intimating.
I see that Yahoo Sports is suggesting that Bolt may lose crowd support in terms of Americans. I see this as utter arrogance. Bolt is Bolt. He does not need the support of Americans.
Britain learned this Bolt factor a long time ago. This is the man’s time, and no one should begrudge him.
With deep regards,
Sherry-Ann Haniff

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