Olympian Usain Bolt disses former Olympian Carl Lewis

Story by Yahoo Sports

Written by Pat Forde

LONDON – Until 11:45 p.m. London time on Thursday, Usain Bolt had achieved something even more remarkable than turning the Olympic Stadium track into his own personal drag strip. 

He'd managed to be the most toweringly arrogant, endlessly cocky, thoroughly likeable guy in sports.

Then he nuked Carl Lewis.

There went the American vote, Usain. Hope the endorsement deals in Jamaica and Europe stay strong.

Bolt's run as the most popular foreign athlete in the United States – maybe ever, or at least in the argument – might have ended abruptly Thursday night. After winning his fifth career Olympic gold medal and second of the London Games, he veered out of his way in the 200-meter news conference to savage Lewis, who merely won nine gold medals for America during his brilliant sprinting-and-jumping career. Them's fightin' words. (Bolt blasts Lewis after track legend made critical comments).

Bolt was asked about the great sprinters of all time, with the names Jesse Owens and Carl Lewis mentioned.

Bolt gave props to Owens then announced, "I'm going to say something controversial."

Did he ever. "Carl Lewis, I have no respect for him," Bolt said. "The things he says about the track athletes are very downgrading. I think he's just looking for attention because nobody really talks about him.

"I've lost all respect for him. All respect."

Bolt was asked what caused him to lose respect for Lewis.

"All drug stuff," he responded.

Four years ago, when Bolt exploded in Beijing by winning three gold medals, Lewis specifically questioned Bolt's huge time drop in the 100 meters, from 10.03 to 9.69 in the course of a year.

"If you don't question that in a sport that has the reputation it has right now, you're a fool," Lewis said.

"Period."

Back to the present and back to you, Bolt.
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