usain-bolt-steroidsFrom The Independent:

In the 100m quarter-finals in the Bird’s Nest, Usain Bolt flew down the track to the 50-metre mark, then shut down his engine and coasted to victory in 9.92sec. Breaking 10 seconds is still considered a sporting feat of note, but Bolt did it without breaking sweat. It was obvious then that the 9.70sec barrier would not survive the final.

And so it proved, although nobody could have envisaged the breathtaking manner in which Bolt would shatter it. Some suggested it was as stunning as Ben Johnson’s 9.79sec win in Seoul back in 1988. But, even pumped up to the yellowing eyeballs on anabolic steroids, Big Bad Ben did not produce quite such a jaw-dropping performance in the most notorious Olympic 100m final. He was flat to the boards until he raised an index finger in celebration as the finish line approached. His winning margin over Carl Lewis was 0.13sec.

Bolt started his celebrations some 20m from the line, stretching out both arms in a “Hey, get me” statement, then beating his right fist against his chest. He still managed to stop the digits on the trackside clock at 9.69, and won by a margin of 0.20sec – a veritable street in sprinting terms.

The clowning that followed was far from the preening arrogance of so many American speed merchants down the years. It was a joyous, natural breath of fresh air from a young man who has redefined the term Cool Runnings.

In an event that looked to be in terminal decline from a barrage of drug scandals, the Lightning Bolt was just what the doctor might have ordered for the mens’ 100m, and for track and field. He had fueled himself on chicken nuggets, and he proceeded to have Michael Johnson’s treasured 200m world record for breakfast. With a little help from his Jamaican friends, he also consigned the 4 x 100m relay world record to history.

Bolt’s impressive performance on the track in Beijing had not only yielded accolades but scrutiny as well.

BALCO founder Victor Conte voiced out his concern in connection with athletes like Bolt who hail from Caribbean countries. Most of these countries lack independent anti-doping agencies to check the cleanliness of these athletes according to confessed and jailed steroid supplier Conte.

American sprint star Carl Lewis similarly expressed his disbelief of Bolt’s performance with this statement: “I’m still working with the fact he dropped from 10-flat to 9.6 in one year,” American Lewis was quoted as saying. “I think there are some issues … countries like Jamaica do not have a random (dope control) program so they can go months without being tested.”

Bolt, in response, said: “I know I’m clean. I work hard for what I want,”

“I know what he said. To me it doesn’t really matter what he said, a lot of people were saying that.

“Carl Lewis can say whatever he wants. That’s just his opinion,” Lewis said


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