After his win in the 200-meter race, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt confirms his mission as "living legend," but two men who have made an impact in the Olympics beg to differ.
The president on the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Jacques Rogge, has spoken out against Bolt's "legend" status, and has not had a fully positive view of the athlete since his dominant performance at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.
"The career of Usain Bolt has to be judged when the career stops," said Rogge, a former Belgium Olympian who competed in sailing, but never won a medal.
According to Rogge, Bolt is an icon but a legend, comparing him to retired American Olympian Carl Lewis.
"If you look at the career of Carl Lewis, he had [four] consecutive games with a medal. Let Usain Bolt be free of injury, let him keep his motivation which I think will be the case," added Rogge. "Let him participate in three, four games, and he can be a legend."
Back in 2008, Rogge spoke against Bolt's "showboating" as a sign of disrespect to fellow spritners after Bolt won both the 100 and 200-meter races.
No word yet from Bolt in regards to the Rogge's comments, but the comparison to Lewis might be a blow for the Jamaican sprinter.
Back in 2008 in an interview with Sports Illustrated, Lewis didn't speak highly about Bolt and fellow Jamaican sprinters.
"I'm still working with the fact that [Bolt] dropped from 10-flat to 9.6 in one year,'' Lewis said. "I think there are some issues. I'm proud of America right now because we have the best random and most comprehensive drug testing program. 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.''
Lewis added that he's not directly accusing anyone, but added, "...don't live by a different rule and expect the same kind of respect. No country has had that kind of dominance. I'm not saying they've done anything for certain. I don't know."
Four years later after winning the 200-meter relay on Thursday, Bolt said he found the comments "upsetting" and has "no respect" for Lewis.
"The things [Lewis] says about other track athletes is really downgrading other athletes," said Bolt. "I think he is looking for attention because no one really talks much about him. I've lost all respect for him. It's really upsetting for me."
Although Bolt has been declared clean of performance enhancing drugs, Lewis, however, was tested positive for stimulants in three occasions leading up to the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics. The tests were explained as "inadvertent use," according to The Australian.
After Bolt overcame the odds in the 100-meter and 200-meter races at the 2012 London Olympics, he said, "I'm now a legend, I'm also the greatest athlete to live."
Bolt can continue his legacy as he's set to race in the men's 4x100-meter relay on Saturday.
"It's wonderful. Jamaica has proven that we are the greatest sprint country. I've got nothing left to prove. I've showed the world I'm the best and, right now, I just want to enjoy myself," said Bolt. "This is my moment. I'll never forget this. Lane seven has been good to me these past couple of days."
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