IOC president criticises Usain Bolt for lack of respect

Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has accused Usain Bolt of showing a lack of respect to fellow competitors following his record-breaking gold medal performances in Beijing.

Despite comparing Bolt to Jesse Owens, after the Jamaican became the first man in 24 years to complete the Olympic blue riband double of the 100 and 200 metres, Rogge criticised the 6ft 5in sprinter for gesturing and flaunting as he celebrated his victories.

"That's not the way we perceive being a champion," Rogge said. "I have no problem with him doing a show but I think he should show more respect for his competitors and shake hands, give a tap on the shoulder to the other ones immediately after the finish and not make gestures like the one he made in the 100 meters."

Having built a huge lead in Saturday's 100m final, Bolt slowed, glanced around with arms outstretched and pounded his chest before crossing the finish line in a world record time of 9.69 seconds.

"I understand the joy," Rogge said. "He might have interpreted that in another way, but the way it was perceived was 'catch me if you can'. You don't do that. But he'll learn. He's still a young man."

Bolt, who turns 22 today, stormed to victory in the 200m yesterday in a time of 19.30sec, knocking two hundredths of a second off Michael Johnson's mark, set at the Atlanta Games of 1996. However, following the race critics accused Bolt of making little effort to congratulate his competitors as he wrapped himself in a Jamaican flag and set off on a solo victory lap.

"He still has to mature," Rogge said. "I would love him to show more respect for his competitors.

"But he will learn in time. He should shake hands with his competitors and not ignore them. He'll learn that sooner or later. But (he is) a great athlete, of course.

"Bolt is in another dimension in sprints. He must be considered now the same way like Jesse Owens should have been in the 1930s.

"Bolt has a bigger edge than Owens on his rivals. Of course, Owens had the long jump too, so you can't compare people. If he maintains that in the future, Bolt will be someone that probably leaves a mark like Jesse Owens."