When former Olympian Carl Lewis criticized Jamaica's drug-testing program for athletes, it didn't just offend "fastest man alive" sprinter Usain Bolt — it made him lose "all respect" for the nine-time gold-medal winner. After Bolt — who, of course, represents Jamaica — delivered a record-breaking performance in Beijing, Lewis told Sports Illustrated: "Countries like Jamaica do not have a random program, so they can go months without being tested. I'm not saying anyone is on anything, but everyone needs to be on a level playing field."
This week, after winning gold in the 200-meters at the London Olympics, Bolt made clear that when his athletic accomplishments were indirectly questioned, he took it personally. From the Huffington Post:
While not making any direct accusations, former 100 and 200 Olympic champion Lewis has said in recent years that Jamaican drug testing procedures might need to be tightened.
The comments brought a stern reaction from Bolt at Olympic Stadium, right after he roared to an unprecedented second 200-meter title at the games. No other athlete has won the 200 twice at the Olympics, although Lewis won the event in 1984 and finished second in the 1988 Games.
With the smile that had been a constant fixture throughout his press conference vanishing from his face, Bolt lashed out at nine-time gold-medal winner Lewis after being asked if he'd like to be compared with him or late sprinting great Jesse Owens.
"I'm going to say something controversial right now. Carl Lewis, I have no respect for him," Bolt said. "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."
Read more at the Huffington Post.