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Former 100m champ Linford Christie. PIC/VISHAL KELKAR |
Bolt raced to 100 and 200m golds and bettered world records in both events. "I think it was the best race I have seen. And I am privileged to be alive to witness it. It was truly phenomenal," said Christie, who was the first man to hold the 100m Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth titles at the same time.
"He has been like a breath of fresh air. After what athletics has gone through in recent times, this is a welcome change. He has done something great," said Christie, who was in the city for the launch of NineX's programme, Sports Grandstand, yesterday.
Impressive manner
And more importantly for Christie, it was the manner of Bolt's win that impressed him greatly.
"Winning alone doesn't matter. It's how you win that is important. And Bolt stamped his class. By pulling his hands down and thumping his chest even before completing the sprint, he told everyone that he is the best and no one is going to beat him.
"Like in many other sports, athletes eat the same and have almost the same talent. What separates them is how mentally tough you are and how you pressurise the others into thinking that they will not win. And Bolt did that in the sprint. I am certain that for the next few races he competes in, others will be running only for second place," the 1992 Olympic gold medallist said.
While the whole world has been smitten by Bolt's show, International Olympic Committee chief Jacques Rogge felt Bolt's celebration was demeaning to other runners. "I don't understand what the fuss is about. If I had won it in the way he did, I would have been worse. He has just won a race by a huge margin in the Olympics, I think he is allowed to show a little bit of emotion and celebrate," Christie said.
"And I don't think he did anything wrong. And I don't think any of the other sprinters found anything wrong in that. I guess Rogge didn't compete at that level or if he did, he didn't win enough to understand that feeling."
