Usain Bolt

September 12th, 2008 filed in Olympics, Track and Field

Usain Bolt is a Jamaican sprinter who holds world and Olympic records in both the 100 meters and 200 meters, with times of 9.69 seconds and 19.30 seconds, respectively. He is the first man in history to break both world records at one Olympics, and the first man to win both the 100 and 200 meters events at the same Olympics since Carl Lewis in 1984. His name and achievements in sprinting have earned him the media nickname “Lightning Bolt”.

Such dominate performance is cause for some to speculate about possible cheating by Usain Bolt. Bolt has denied taking performance-enhancing drugs and has not failed a drug test. Yet, his coach acknowledges, it will be impossible for Bolt to avoid skepticism given the sport’s clouded history. A number of Olympic champions, world champions and record holders have been stripped of their sprint medals, records and reputations, including Ben Johnson, Marion Jones, Justin Gatlin, Tim Montgomery and Kelli White.

Usain Bolt CHEATed in the Olympics
Chester Cheater

Usain Bolt competes for Jamaica, a country without a random drug testing policy. Drug tests are scheduled in advance and separated by months. This explains Usain Bolt’s superman like performances. Recently interviewed by Sports Illustrated, Carl Lewis had this to say about Bolt, “When people ask me about Bolt I say he could be the greatest athlete of all-time. But for someone to run 10.03 one year and 9.69 the next, if you don’t question that in a sport that has the reputation it has right now, you’re a fool. Period.” It sounds like one of the greatest athletes of all time is skeptical of Bolt’s performance. Lewis questions the Jamaican sprinting program in general, including the women, “Veronica Campbell-Brown lives in the United States and has been transparent and consistent. She won the worlds last year in the 100 meters and this year can’t even make the (Jamaican) team. Are you going to tell me that shouldn’t be questioned?” Lewis goes on to say, “People forget that I was the first one to speak out about Ben [Johnson], and I got crucified. A year later, I was a prophet. The athletes have to say, ‘No, this isn’t right.’ They know who’s on it. They need to step up.” Carl Lewis knows track and sprinting better than anyone, if he doesn’t trust it, neither should you.

Usain Bolt BEAT his competition in the Olympics
Billy Beater

Usain Bolt is a modern marvel of sports. He has set world records, and has raised the bar in the sport of sprinting. He has done so legally and cleanly. He has repeatedly been tested, including during the Olympics and he has come up clean every time. Bolt is 6′5″ and built for speed. His long stride allows him to cover more ground than his competitors, which gives him an advantage. It is similar to the physical advantages that Michael Phelps has. These advantages are natural, and not part of a doping regimen. The Jamaican Observer has an entire list of reasons that Usain Bolt and other Jamaican sprinters run fast, and none of them include cheating. Usain Bolt beat his competitors in the Olympics and is an International hero.

So what do you think, did Usain Bolt CHEAT, or did he BEAT his competitors?