Elton Tucker

Rogge

BEIJING:

Triple Olympic Games gold medallist, Usain Bolt, has vowed not to change his style after coming under criticism here from International Olympic Committee (IOC) head, Jacques Rogge, for his showmanship.

Bolt, speaking after winning his third gold medal of the Games in the 4x100 metres, said he was a performer who wanted people to enjoy themselves.

"To me, I am a performer. I go out there to perform and let the people enjoy themselves. This is my work, my job, if you do not enjoy your job it does not make much sense. That's just me. I will not change, that is myself, that is my personality," Bolt said at a post-sprint relay press conference.

Bashed

Bolt, winner of the 100m and 200m in world-record times, had been bashed for his showboating during the 100m final when he dropped his hand and beat his chest while nearing the finish.

Rogge, wire services reported, had suggested that some of Bolt's actions were against the spirit of the Games.

"That's not the way we perceive being a champion," an Associated Press report quoted Rogge as saying. According to the report, Rogge made his comments to three international news agencies.

The report went on to say that the IOC boss hailed Bolt's stunning achievements in the two sprints and compared him to American great Jesse Owens, who won the sprint double at the 1936 Games in Berlin, Germany, but said Bolt should have cut out the look-at-me flaunting and acknowledge the other athletes.

Meanwhile, Jamaica Olympic Association president, Mike Fennell, a man who knows the IOC president very well, came out in his defence yesterday at the Games Village.

Misunderstood

"He is going to issue a statement later on. He feels that his statement had been totally misunderstood because he is overawed by Bolt's performances and has said so quite openly and will say it again," Fennell said.