Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt says he had lost all respect for Carl Lewis after the former American athlete was quoted as saying Jamaica’s doping controls were not as strong as other countries.
Lewis, a former 100 and 200 Olympic champion, has repeatedly stated that Jamaica’s drug testing procedures might need to be tightened.
Bolt made the comments at a press conference after he roared to an unprecedented second 200-metre title yesterday at the London 2012 Olympics.
No other athlete has won the 200-metre dash twice at the Olympics.
Lewis won the event in 1984 and finished second in the 1988 Games.
Bolt was asked if he would like to be compared with Lewis or the late sprinting great Jesse Owens.
Bolt says he has no respect for Lewis because of the “degrading” remarks he made about athletes.
“I think Carl Lewis is just looking for attention, really, because nobody really talks much about him,” Bolt said.
Bolt was also asked if he could guarantee that Jamaican sprinters – who swept the top three spots in the 200 metres – were clean, and he said he had no doubt.
“Without a doubt, we train really hard,” said the double Olympic repeat champion
