[WrigleyMike]

Lewis cautious over Bolt success


Sprint legend Carl Lewis has questioned Usain Bolt's stunning successes at the Beijing Olympics because Jamaica does not enforce random drug tests.
Bolt won three golds in China, setting world records in the 100m and 200m.
But American Lewis said: "When people ask me about Bolt I say he could be the greatest athlete of all time.
"But to run 10.03 seconds one year and 9.69 the next, if you don't question that in a sport with the reputation it has right now, you're a fool. Period."
Jamaican Bolt, 22, became the first man to win the 100m, 200m and 4x100m at a single Olympics since Lewis himself achieved the feat at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.

(...)
But Lewis, who himself failed three drugs tests in 1988 only to be cleared of any intentional wrongdoing, believes it necessary to remain cautious about Bolt's incredible performances.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/7613895.stm

[incimisiche]

Is this a case of the pot calling the kettle black? Or the kettle calling the pot black?

[nuveem7070]

Is this a case of the pot calling the kettle black? Or the kettle calling the pot black?

[exschke]

I think that Lewis just wants some attention.

[Peterli]

I didn't open up the whole article. It seems to me like he's cautious about serenading Bolt. But it doesn't go as far an accusation.

[WrigleyMike]

During the Olympics there was a lot of talk about chaos in US Track and Field.

It's my understanding that the drug testing methods used in the Olympics are no joke. None of the Jamaican's tested positive. That's why I find these comments bizarre.

[incimisiche]

During the Olympics there was a lot of talk about chaos in US Track and Field.

It's my understanding that the drug testing methods used in the Olympics are no joke. None of the Jamaican's tested positive. That's why I find these comments bizarre.

I remember reading....where one of the swimmers was saying they had to let the US Olympic Committee or the US Swimming Association know where they could be found any day, any time at any given moment for a random drug test. If they couldn't be found, that was grounds for disqualification. Amazing! But...in light of the fact that Jamaica doesn't do random drug testing.....I find the questions a bit...appropriate. (And I stress the "a bit" part) But....I would focus more on Jamaica's testing schedule rather than pinpointing a specific athelete that......broke my record

[WrigleyMike]

I remember reading....where one of the swimmers was saying they had to let the US Olympic Committee or the US Swimming Association know where they could be found any day, any time at any given moment for a random drug test. If they couldn't be found, that was grounds for disqualification. Amazing! But...in light of the fact that Jamaica doesn't do random drug testing.....I find the questions a bit...appropriate. (And I stress the "a bit" part) But....I would focus more on Jamaica's testing schedule rather than pinpointing a specific athelete that......broke my record

Agreed.

[Shiplyopidomi]

Congratulations, Usain Bolt for world records in the 100,200, and 4 x 100 medley races.

[SOgLak]

Always liked Carl, but he's tripping here.

Not that he doesn't make good points (his suggestion that athletes can get the dope out of their system but still benefit from having used it) but he simply can't be the messenger and retain any credibility.

[saumemeva]

Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell for that matter were tested so many times leading up to, and during this Olympics that it became an issue that they were being targeted. They gave so much blood that they were afraid it might affect their performance. Obviously it did not. But they have enough blood to test for many years to come. No hard feelings Carl, Jamaicans said the same about you. Shame that we don't have the blood samples since we now have an idea what the designer drugs are and were.

[ErnestTU]

From what I heard/read, Jamaica has these nutrients or things that twitch your leg muscle so that you become quicker.

That's quite surprising though. 10.03 to 9.69(lower than that actually since he didn't try at the end)?! I'm a little suspicious of that too.