Usain Bolt bashes former Olympian Carl Lewis

Jamaican track runner Usain Bolt decided to let off some steam, after his gold medal victory in the 200 meters, by saying that he had, “lost all respect” for former U.S. track star Carl Lewis. Lewis had previously stated that he believed the drug policy for Jamaican athletes was below the level of other countries drug policies. Lewis quoted, “I’m not saying any athletes are on anything, but everyone needs to be on a level playing field.”

Bolt responded by letting the Olympic press know that he had lost all respect for one of the most decorated American Olympic athletes. While Usain Bolt knew what he said would be viewed as controversial, he may be unaware of the indirect scrutiny he could receive for his comments towards an American athlete. Bolt when on to say that Lewis is, “just looking for attention” and that, “nobody really talks about him anymore.” Perhaps Lewis’ comments were due to the fact that he had tested positively for stimulants before the 1988 Olympic Games.

Regardless of the reason, Carl Lewis did not sit well with the recent comments directed towards him from a younger athlete, who could potentially earn more Olympic medals than Lewis did during his athletic campaign. On whether Usain Bolt will continue to be dominant in his track events, Lewis responded simply with, “We’ll see.”

Usain Bolt may continue to be recognized as the “Fastest Man Alive,” however, he may have lost a good portion of his American fan-base as well as some possible endorsements with American sponsors.