So today I read an interview with Carl Lewis (ex-WR holder on the 200m, 9 times Olympic medalist) in Sports Illustrated. One of the athletes he talked about was Usain Bolt (3 gold medals at Beijing 2008, WR's on the 100, 200 and 4x100m).
Ok, It is true that Jamaica does not have a proper drug system like Europe and the United States. Does this automatically mean their athletes are doing doping? No. Does it raise questions? Yes.SI.com: It's been few weeks since the Games; what do you think of Usain Bolt?
Lewis: I'm still working with the fact that he dropped from 10-flat to 9.6 in one year. I think there are some issues. I'm proud of America right now because we have the best random and most comprehensive drug testing program. Countries like Jamaica do not have a random program, so they can go months without being tested. I'm not saying anyone is on anything, but everyone needs to be on a level playing field.
SI.com: I don't want to put words in your mouth, but are you accusing Bolt of possibly doing something illegal in order to gain an advantage?
Lewis: No one is accusing anyone. But don't live by a different rule and expect the same kind of respect. They say, "Oh, we've been great for the sport." No, you have not. No country has had that kind of dominance. I'm not saying they've done anything for certain. I don't know. But how dare anybody feel that there shouldn't be scrutiny, especially in our sport?
The reality is that if I were running now, and had the performances I had in my past, I would expect them to say something. I wouldn't even be offended at the question. So when people ask me about Bolt, I say he could be the greatest athlete of all-time. But for someone to run 10.03 one year and 9.69 the next, if you don't question that in a sport that has the reputation it has right now, you're a fool. Period.
SI.com: So when Bolt broke three world records and did it as easily as he seemed to, does that tip you off?
Lewis: Let's be real. Let me go through the list: Ben Johnson, Justin Gatlin, Tim Montgomery, Tyson Gay and the two Jamaicans [Asafa Powell and Usain Bolt]. Six people have run under 9.80 legally, three have tested positive, and one had a year out. Not to say [Bolt] is doing anything, but he's not going to have me saying he's great and then two years later he gets popped. If I don't trust it, what does the public think?
SI.com: To be fair, you reportedly tested positive three times before the 1988 Olympics for banned substances, a ruling that was overturned by the USOC due to inadvertent use.
Lewis: That was an issue where people tried to make something out of nothing. It got thrown out. I didn't lash out. They said I tested for stimulants found in over-the-counter cold medications. That's it. I did nothing wrong.
On the other hand, the times Lewis is talking about are not so accurate because if you followed Usain when he was younger, you already saw he had the potential. Before the Olympics, Bolt was the 5th fastest man on the 200m, plus he was the world junior and world youth record holder on the 200m. Moreso, he is the only junior to run under 20s, something he did at age 17.
Powell and Bolt both been tested a lot at the Olympics and never tested negative. So these alligations Lewis makes can't be prouven. Maybe someone is getting jealous? I mean for so long the States ruled the sprint. Now that they lost that hegemony to a small country, it might be hard to bite the bullet?
Another thing I read was about Sarah Palin (McCain's running mate). So she wants to go to war against Russia, doesn't know the Bush Doctrine[1] and she wants to overrule Roe vs. Wade [2].
[1] The Bush Doctrine is a term used to describe the foreign policy doctrine of United States president George W. Bush, enunciated in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks. It may be viewed as a set of several related foreign policy principles, including stress on ending terrorism, spreading democracy, increased unilateralism in foreign policy and an expanded view of American national security interests.Did McCain pick Palin to get the Clinton votes? I don't see how someone who voted for Clinton in the preliminary elections. Those two women stand for the complete oposite. If McCain ever becomes president (let's pray he doesn't), then I hope he never gets sick because I don't have a good eye in it when this woman becomes president. Maybe she could prove me wrong, but I have serious doubts. I really hope Obama wins. I'm sure he will not be the Messais everyone hopes he will be, but he will surely bring fresh air after 8 years of Republican hegemony.
[2] Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973) is a controversial United States Supreme Court case that resulted in a landmark decision regarding abortion. According to the Roe decision, most laws against abortion in the United States violated a constitutional right to privacy under the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The decision overturned all state and federal laws outlawing or restricting abortion that were inconsistent with its holdings. Roe v. Wade is one of the most controversial and politically significant cases in U.S. Supreme Court history. Its lesser-known companion case, Doe v. Bolton, was decided at the same time.
Ok, back to myself. I still refuse to look at my results. I'm almost fearing they indeed got lost in the mail. But to quote my hubbie: "You wish lol". It's just delay of execution. I'm sure the bad news letter will be in our mailbox by Monday morning. I think I already prepared myself on it (and accepted my failure), but still it will hurt when I see it black on white. No one likes to fail...
Lets end with a positive note shall we? Lately I've been listening to an artist called Keziah Jones. Jones is a Lagos born singer-songwriter whos style can be described as a mixture of raw blues elements and hard funky rhythms. You can also hear his African roots and soul influences in his music. His latest album is called Nigerian Wood and his body is quit nice for a 40 y.o.
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