Not so fast! Olympic boss says Bolt not yet a legend

LONDON: England: (AP)
International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge, says Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt is an “icon” but not yet a legend.

According to Rogge, Bolt needs to prove his greatness over more than two Olympics before he can claim legendary status.

“The career of Usain Bolt has to be judged when the career stops,” Rogge told a small group of reporters Thursday.

“If you look at the career of Carl Lewis, he had (four) consecutive games with a medal.”

Rogge spoke a few hours before Bolt completed an unprecedented sprint sweep, becoming the first athlete to win the 100 and 200 meters at consecutive Olympics.

Bolt took the 200 in 19.32 seconds, four days after he defended his 100 title with victory in 9.63.

Bolt has spoken repeatedly of his desire to become a “living legend” in London.
“Let Usain Bolt be free of injury,” Rogge said.

“Let him keep his motivation which I think will be the case ... Let him participate in three, four games, and he can be a legend. Already he’s an icon.”

Lewis won a total of nine Olympic gold medals from 1984-1996, including four consecutive titles in the long jump.

In Beijing four years ago, Bolt won the 100, 200 and 4x100 relay, all in world-record times.

In Beijing, Rogge chastised Bolt for showboating and showing a lack of respect to his fellow competitors after his 100 and 200 races, comments which led to criticism of the IOC president for appearing to be out of touch.

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