adminThe row between Usain Bolt and the Times over whether he labelled the Commonwealth Games “a bit s**t” continues to rumble on – with Bolt calling the story “nonsense” and the newspaper insisting they stand by it “100%”.Bolt ventured out of the athletes’ village to watch Jamaica’s netball team, the Sunshine Girls, lose 50-42 to New Zealand Wednesday afternoon. While he appeared relaxed, posing for photographs with volunteers, taking part in a Mexican wave, and waving a Jamaica flag, his entourage quickly called for security when he was approached for comment by journalists.
One reporter, the Daily Mail’s Jonathan McEvoy, had his accreditation ripped off him in a row with Bolt’s security guard and was led away by officials – although he was allowed to return. His crime, he claimed, was to say to Bolt’s agent, Ricky Simms, “he hasn’t actually denied the comments, has he?”
According to the Times reporter, Katie Gibbons, she approached Bolt on Tuesday as he waited in the rain for his car at the athletes’ village. After showing Bolt her media accreditation he reportedly told her he thought “the Olympics were better”, that he was “not really” having fun in Glasgow and felt the Games were “a bit s**t”, before he left “to do some business”.
As Bolt passed Gibbons at the netball mixed zone on Wednesday, the journalist shouted: “Why did you deny what you said to me yesterday?”
Bolt did not appear to hear. His response was, simply: “Awesome.”
Earlier the 27-year-old Jamaica sprinter was a little more forthcoming on Twitter, saying: “I’m waking up to this nonsense. Journalist please don’t create lies to make headlines”.
Simms also claimed the reports were “utter rubbish”, adding: “The atmosphere in and around the stadiums has been absolutely fantastic and I have absolutely no idea where these quotes have come from.”
However, the Times’ Scottish editor, Angus Macleod, insisted he had full confidence in Gibbons. “We stand by this story 100%,” he said.
“We have utter confidence in this story.”
It is understood that the Times were considering whether to publish a full transcript of the short interview with Bolt in Thursday’s paper.
Many of Jamaica’s netball players appeared to wave at Bolt at half-time but they were reluctant to talk about whether his appearance had distracted them during their defeat.
“Can you ask me a question about the game,” replied Romelda Aiken, while the team’s goal defence, Stacian Facey, insisted: “I didn’t even know he was here.”
Games officials have denied the row is diverting attention from the sporting action. Mike Hooper, the chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said: “We take Mr Bolt at his word. His tweet says it all. These are a fantastic Games.
“As you saw in his press conference last Saturday, he is very upbeat. He is really positive about running the relay and I don’t wish to comment on the journalist and work of the Times.”
Bolt, who is competing only in the 4x100m relay after struggling with a foot injury, insisted he is eager to make his Commonwealth Games debut in Glasgow, having missed Melbourne through injury in 2006 and not appearing in Delhi in 2010 because the Games came too late in the season for him.
Another Jamaica sprinter, Jason Livermore, also expressed his disquiet about the Games. Asked what he was making of the life in the athletes’ village and his well-being he told the BBC: “Well, it can be better – things can be a little bit better for us. Can be better in a lot of sense. We have to just enjoy and give God thanks.
“I hope Usain’s having a better time than me!” he joked. “The people in Scotland are very welcoming, so I can’t complain. There’s a nice atmosphere and a nice crowd but it’s very cold. Back in Jamaica it’s not like this. I need to get some clothes. It’s freezing.”
On Monday night the Jamaica 100m sprinter Kemar Bailey-Cole negatively contrasted his Glasgow experience with that of London 2012.
“I can’t compare them,” he said. “London was really different food. It was way better than this. Scottish food could do with some more seasoning.” — The Guardian
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