"They did us dirty...irks me how they treat us" - Sprinting legends Maurice Greene and more lament over lack of respect for them in their own sport

Former track athletes, Maurice Greene, Linford Christie, and Asafa Powell shed light on the disrespect that they have been shown by the federations of their sport.

Green, Christie, and Powell have been enjoyed immens success in their track career and have also won Olympic laurels for their country. However, the trio recently opened up about the side of the track that goes beyond the glam and fame of the discipline.

In a recent conversation during Asafa Powell's YouTube show, "The Powells", Green claimed that he doesn't like the officials who run the track federations. The Kansas City native also revealed that these track bodies don't take care of the former athletes. He said (at 32:30 onwards):

"I was just talking about like they do us so dirty. For everything as much as I love the sport, I hate the people who run it because they don't do anything to support the past athletes that have done stuff. I did do a couple of things in the sport and that's what I am saying it irks me the way they treat us."

Christie then opened up about his experience at the 2024 UK Athletics Championships and stated (at 33:38):

"I'll go to our National Championships and Carl (Lewis) came this year with young boy Louie (Hinchliffe). Carl's got a credential to go everywhere I only got a little coaching pass and can't go nowhere. "

Powell added (at 39:07):

"We're not crying about anything but it's like we expect."

Greene and Christie also revealed that they don't receive credentials for the track tournaments. They also emphasized the fact that they got a better welcome and treatment from other sports such as football and rugby.

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Maurice Greene comments on the changing dynamics of the track discipline after the advent of social media

Greene after winning the 4x100m relay at the 2000 Sydney Olympics (Image via Getty Images)

Maurice Greene opened up about the changes that have been seen in track and field after the onset of social media. Greene retired from the sport back in 2008 after a decorated career that saw him clinch four Olympic and five World Championships medals,

In a recent interview with CGTN, Greene stated that social media has allowed the fans to explore more about the track athletes and their off-track character. He said:

"I think people are starting to let people in a little bit more and with the social media aspect of it all, like you really get to see who these athletes truly are."

During the interview, Greene also remarked that catching the attention of the fans has become much easier compared to his times.