Showboltin' in Beijing

IOC President Tells Jamaican 'Showbolt' to Simmer Down, Carl Lewis Says He's Just Young

August 21, 2008 8:46 AM

By JO LING KENT, ABC News Beijing

In case you haven't heard, Usain Bolt is kind of a big deal - and the Olympic champ knows it. In the 100-meter and 200-meter races, Bolt not only won both golds but also set two world records in the process, becoming the first man in history to accomplish such a feat.

With a huge lead in the final 20 meters of Saturday's 100-meter final, Bolt slowed down, outstretched his arms, and fist-bumped his chest before crossing the finish line in a world record time of 9.69 seconds. The crowd, caught up in the heat of the moment, ate it up.

On Wednesday in the 200-meter final, Bolt thrilled the crowd again. He broke American Michael Johnson's 12-year-old record, wrapped himself in a Jamaican flag, and immediately began galloping around the track on his victory lap. Moving to reggae music, he peered into a television camera yelling, "I am No. 1!"

For his fans in the Bird's Nest and around the world, Bolt's celebrations were a welcome theatrical addition to one of the most popular events at the Olympics. But in the eyes of others, Bolt - or "Showbolt" as some fondly call him here in the ABC News' Beijing bureau - may have gone a little too far.

The criticism came straight from the top. Today, the president of the International Olympics Committee, Jacques Rogge, chided Bolt for showing what he thought was a lack of respect to other competitors after his record-breaking gold medal performances.

Of course, Rogge first hailed Bolt's impressive achievements in the two sprints and compared him to American track and field legend Jesse Owens.

"Bolt is in another dimension in sprints," Rogge said in a news conference. "Bolt must be considered now the same way like Jesse Owens should have been in the 1930s."

But as for Bolt's post-race celebration, Rogge said, "That's not the way we perceive being a champion."

"I have no problem with him doing a show," the IOC chief told the Associated Press. "I think he should show more respect for his competitors and shake hands, give a tap on the shoulder to the other ones immediately after the finish and not make gestures like the one he made in the 100 meters."

"I understand the joy," Rogge continued. "He might have interpreted that in another way, but the way it was perceived was 'catch me if you can.' You don't do that. But he'll learn. He's still a young man."

He is a young man indeed. Today is Bolt's 22nd birthday. He certainly has a lot to celebrate, but Rogge is hoping he'll simmer down.

"He still has to mature," Rogge said. "I would love him to show more respect for his competitors. That's not the way we perceive being a champion. But he will learn in time. He should shake hands with his competitors and not ignore them. He'll learn that sooner or later. But [he's] a great athlete, of course."

Bolt is the first man since Carl Lewis in 1984 to win the 100-meter and 200-meter gold medals at a single Olympics. Jesse Owens did the same at the 1936 Berlin Games, snagging long jump and relay gold medals as well.

Lewis, who is in Beijing rooting for American athletes, told ABC News today, "I think everybody gets caught up in the heat of it sometimes, especially when you're young."

"You can't always talk down to [young people] so I think it was a good message saying, 'Hey, be mindful of that.'"

Whether or not Bolt will heed Rogge's advice is neither here nor there. After all, today's his birthday and he'll do what he wants.

The Associated Press contributed reporting to this story.

August 21, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (80)