Blasting Usain Bolt, IOC President Jacques Rogge misuses bully pulpit

BEIJING -- The audience for the Olympics is losing young people to the X Games, music videos and computers.

Track and field is losing its audience, period, in Europe and the United States.

So what was International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge thinking when he lambasted Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt for some crowd-pleasing theatrics, which Rogge felt was disrespectful to the competitors?

Only spoiling two moments so electric they might get a few more people interested in track and field.

And if you wanted to take athletes to task, Jacques, why didn't you rip Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva for her disdain?  Throughout that competition, she spent most of her time with a towel over her face, deigning to lift part of it occasionally to see what was going on.

And, Jacques, you look like a coward. You will take on a wondrous, young athlete -– Bolt turned 22 Thursday -- but you have been notoriously silent about China's disrespect about greater openness and respect for human rights.  And you let them stage an opening ceremony in which performers were all but tortured.  (Only North Korea could have done it better, the ceremony's director said.)

Meeting with reporters from several wire services Thursday, Rogge said Bolt's behavior at the end of his world-record runs in the 100 and 200 meters was "not the way we perceive being a champion.''

Please.

Yes, Bolt was showboating over the final 20 meters of the 100, turning sideways, holding out his arms and hands as if to say, "Give it up for me,'' then slapping his heart with his right arm.

In the 200, he flopped on his back after the finish and shimmied during his victory lap.

Rogge thought Bolt should have spent more time congratulating his fellow competitors.

He would have been waiting a week for them to catch up with him.

Bolt's immediate exuberance is what made those moments more than just very fast races.

Rogge thought Bolt needs to mature.

That made the IOC president sound like an old man who lived most of his life in an effete, upper-class world.

Rogge is 66.  He was a three-time Olympian in sailing.

Jacques, your fuddy-duddy is showing.

-- Philip Hersh

Photo of Jacques Rogge by Mark Ralston / AFP / Getty Images

Comments

[Purcell Jackson]

I'm a Jamaican (and very proud so to be) who believe that every athlete as the right to bask in euphoria of winning an event. I can't understand how anyone(Jacques Rogge) could want to deprive them of that right, after they have trained so hard and gotten to this point. Himself being a former olympian should understand how hard an athlete has to prepare for such an event as the "Olympcs"; the premier athletic event of the world. In an era where others sports(and more lucritive as well) are taking away some of our top athletes in the world ,Jacques Rogge comments about Usain Bolt was nothing short of being down-right unthinkable....... or maybe he was struck by a "Bolt of lightening". Who knows..........

[Monica]

couldn't disagree more. Bolt was completely disrespectful, as though he's never heard of being humble or having grace in victory. It's sportsmanship at its worst.
As for the Russian pole-vaulter--what you described is not disdain. it's trying to keep focus and not worry about your competitors so you can do what you need to do DURING the competition--like Nastia Liukin keeping her eyes closed during a few of the competitions.

[Heyngel]

Thank you Philip - I've been hearing much ado about nothing as if there are no real issues on Jacques plate.

Let the young man celebrate, he did nothing disrespectful, he brought life to a programmed sterile games

[true jamaican]

I agree with the writer. Why bully Bolt and try to take away the shine from his and Jamaica's moments. Has he forgotten the aggressive histrionics of the athletes from our northern neighbours in past years or was he asleep then?

[Chris Orcutt]

I'm tired of this windbag. With the pronouncements he seems to make every other week (even when the Olympics aren't on), you'd think he was running for President of France. I didn't hear him comment when Bernard, the French swimmer, commented that the French were going to "smash the Americans." Nor did he comment about human rights in China.

The country spends $40B on the Olympics? Yeah, you can do that when you have an endless supply of slave labor.

As for Jacques' criticizing Bolt, leave the kid alone.

[Simone Harvey]

To: Jacques Rogge
Stop criticizing Usain Bolt. He has lots of time to complement other athletes. Your perception of Bolt is totally inaccurate. Remember that Bolt has heard many times that he is a freak and he is too tall to run fast, and now he is celebrating and is showing a lot of confidence that he believe in himself. Congratuling other athlete at this time is not important because he can do that once he gets off the field. Usain knows that this time belongs to him because he works hard for it. DO NOT BE SO QUICK TO CRITICIZE USAIN. It is difficult to make accurate perception when the other person is from a different culture. Usain was not disrespecting anyone. He was just PROUD OF HIS ACCOMPLISHMENT.

[Morrissa Huggins]

Jaques Rogges needs to take a page out of Usain's book. I have seen on countless occasions where athletes have showboated in one form or the other. I think the only reason he verbally attacked Usain is because he wished he had the joyful characteristics that this young man has borught to the olympics. I think he deserves to act whichever way he chooses onced he has crossed that finish line.
You go Usain and Jaque Rogues need to keep up with the times.

[leo]

I hope this non-sense from jacques roggue really backfire to the point where he or other IOC honchos have to backpedal for such ludicrous statements.

I'm pretty sure, by now Rogge is well aware of the reaction to his comments and how stupid he looks by saying such baloney.

Of course, the IOC is a cave of corrupted crooks, and we are dumb enough to enjoy the games, but at least, with the internet, we can voice our displeasure when a puffy fluffy Baron comes out talkin' BS.

Rogge should apologize to Jamaica , Bolt and the we, the public.

[Jeddy]

Couldn't disagree more with the author. Mr. Rogge is absolutely correct in pointing out Bolt's atrocious sportsmanship. Bolt's speed is amazing but I can barely watch him because he is classless and a lout. He makes me cringe every time I see him showboat. It's really a shame and ruins the effect of his greatness.

[patriciaw]

Jeddy, I guess you prefer the "class" and "non-loutishness" of those athletes who ended up being stripped of their medals for steroid use!

Hopefully by now old Mr Rogge has been made aware of the feelings of sportsfans and sportswriters from both sides of the Atlantic -- and that if he has any so-called class he will apologise to Usain, Jamaica and sportsfans everywhere for his totally oafish remarks

[Natalie]

Bolt did not do anything wrong and should not be condemned for it. He is 22 years old and his accomplishments are huge. He is trying to be playful about it and it is our culture to celebrate in that manner. The Americans have been showboating for years and nobody has made a stink about it. I have not seen any other winner at the Games running behind the losers to congratulate them...why should it be any different for Usain?

I am Jamaican and I am damn proud of Usain. After all that work, he can celebrate any which way he pleases....Jacques comment is almost racist and I take offense but I wont allow him to ruin the celebrations and I am sure Usian wont allow it to ruin his birthday!

[HenryInSeattle]

Obviously Jacques Rogge's Chinese handlers told him to speak out on this display of individualism.

The overlords don't want their serfs to get any modern ideas in their heads.

[Proud Jamaicam]

I'm jamaican and I am proud of Bolt. I see nothing wrond with his celebration I have seen worst remember Maurice Green with fire extinguishers blowing on his shoes after winning a race. We jamaicans do everything to the fullest and celebrating is one of them. Usain Bolt to de world. JAMAICA BLACK GREEN and GOLD !!!!!

[Kevin]

Bolt's behavior before, during, and after his incredible 19.30 second world record 200 m event was fine, and I'm a fuddy-duddy guy. His comments afterward, especially when he said that he had not thought that Michael Johnson's record could be broken, were quite humble. He is very young. Sometimes young people clown around as a way of dealing with stress or attention.

[Ken McKenzie]

Oh what short memories we have... go check the videos, they are there of American sprinters celebrating Olympic victories... I did not anything wrong with it then and do not see anything wrong now.

These are individual events... so individuals celebrate.... We see the Red Sox with their parade... the New York Football have their ticker-tape parade...

"Showing up the competition?" No.... Just celebrating!!

AMERICANS LOVE TO CELEBRATE THEIR VICTORIES BUT WANT TO DENY OTHERS THAT PLEASURE ...

Jamaicans are a fun loving people, just like Americans and we will not let your criticisms stand in the way.

Peace!!

[Jamie]

I kind of agree with Jacques. The other players were erased from the picture. Yes, Jacques worked hard for it and he won first place. But, how about the other guys who worked hard too? I imagined if I was there and one of the losers, I'd be insulted and feel down. It's like his country stepping on mine. It's so mean.

[ayana]

Yes MASSA Rogge, we of the caribbean should know our place.;We of the cotton picking and cane planting heritage. Live up Jamaica, Usain Bolt, we love you and the world loves you. Let that belgian go back to the congo and reign as they once did.

[Jay Peitzer]

Rogge is just the latest in series of uppercrust jerks who surface to run the Olympic movement. They have been around for a 100+ years and show no signs of ever going away. Nobody pays much attention to them. They try to bask in the shared glory of real athletes. How many people remember that racist jerk Brundage? Rogge is no different. Ignore him.

[michael]

Usain Bolt is simple the best!!! I loved seeing him dancing and basking in the glory of his success. He did nothing wrong! He showed 100% respects to the people of china and to all competitors. The funny thing about his comment is that he has sent a clear signal to the world about what sort of leader he is. He failed to comment when the Chinese authority was, and still are, killing and enslaving its own people. He failed to comment when four people where disqualified because their horses were found to have banned substances within them. The only time he found the strength to comment was when Usain lifted the heart, minds and dreams of the world. If he thinks this is the last he will see of the worlds’ greatest, let him think again. A day will come when he will retire but he can NEVER take away what Usain has achieved……dance on boi, dance on!!!

[Simone]

Jacques Rogge, as president of the IOC should have remain impartial. For him to say what he has regarding Usain is unforgivable. He didnt need to jump in with an opinion other that to say congratulations to the young man for two impressive record breaking runs!

There were many other athletes in these games that never went over to congratulate their competitors and nothing was said about them.. Lashawn Merritt for example. He also gestured that he was number one! And he was.
Usain Bolt is the World's fastest Man and should be accorded all due respect!

[Stoney]

Awesome athletic ability. But, emotionally acts like a 12 year old. For me - his dopey sillyness is a turn-off.

[Stoney]

Impressive ability!!! But emotionally - acts like he's 12 years old! A "turn-off" for me!!!

[Stoney]

Forgot to add ...... Philip Hersh (this article's author) ...... [your immaturity] is showing - too!!!

[Robert]

I hope Usain gets to read this. It would be nice if Jamaica could get a gold in the 4X100 as well and my advice to Usain would do not dance around like you did before but dance like you never did. I am from Barbados married to a Jamaican and I am proud of you. The USA and all the "first world" countries dominate the Olympic Games so when one of my Caribbean people wins or even gets a bronze even just to make it there it is an achievement so DANCE FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE.

[Mark]

The Olympics is an international meet, not European or North American. Peoples of the world celebrate in different ways. While protocols regarding accepting the medals and so on exist, there are no standards of reaction to success. The painful thing about Rogge remarks is that they are directed only to Bolt but there are many other cases of individual showboating that have not attracted attention. It is no different from the description of whites in New Orleans trying to survive and blacks described as looters or similar types of class, racial, gender discrimination. I am not one to prance and dance like Bolt, but for his sake I am happy to see him do that at this time.