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Lewis cautious over Bolt's Olympic performance

13/09/2008

America athletics legend Carl Lewis says he is wary about the validity of Usain Bolt's performances at the Beijing Olympics because of the Jamaican authorities' drug testing policy.

Lewis says the Jamaican authorities do not do as much out of competition testing as they could and therefore have no way of fully tracking their athletes.

Bolt won both the 100m and 200m in world record times in the Bird's Nest Stadium, a feat achieved by Lewis at the Los Angles Games in 1984.

The American told Sports Illustrated: "When people ask me about Bolt I say he could be the greatest athlete of all time.

"But to run 10.03 seconds one year and 9.69 the next, if you don't question that in a sport with the reputation it has right now, you're a fool. Period."

Lewis says more needs to be done to bring every athletic association in line with others around the world and that the most stringent tests possible should be imposed to ensure competitor's performances can be upheld as truly great achievements.

He said: "I'm proud of America right now because we have the best random and most comprehensive drug-testing programme.

"Countries like Jamaica do not have a random programme, so they can go months without being tested.

"No-one is accusing Bolt, but don't live by a different rule and expect the same kind of respect. How dare anybody feel that there shouldn't be scrutiny, especially in our sport?"