What Makes a Living Legend? A Bolt of Black Lightning

[malaise]

http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/08/13/a-bolt-of-black-lightning/
<snip>
Usain Bolt went to London with a lofty goal: to become a legend. His criterion was simple. “If I defend my Beijing titles successfully, I will consider myself a legend.”

Not only did he win three gold medals, as in Beijing, but, in London lowered the 100m record and, anchoring Jamaica’s 4x100m team, shattered that record as well.

I wager that millions of sports fans, especially those fascinated with speed, plus those enthralled with his style, have already proclaimed him a living legend.

But, in this wide world, only two men appear to have a contrary opinion. One threw a beer bottle from the stands when the athletes were in the blocks for the 200 meters. The other is Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

“Rogge competed in yachting in the 1968, 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics, and played on the Belgian national rugby union team. In yachting (Finn-class) he won the world championships once and took second place twice, and was crowned Belgian champion sixteen times. He also won the Yachting World Cadet Trophy and took part in the regatta Ton Cup.” – Wikipedia

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Great article -love these two lines

Has Rogge inherited King Leopold’s genes? These are different times and Rogge is dealing with different Blacks than Belgian King Leopold II encountered in the Congo in the 1890s.

[monmouth]

1. I love Usain Bolt's personality. He's a winnah baby and you better know it. Little kids are

aping his "stance" ... Love it!

[malaise]

2. Heard a former US Olympian - a 1992 swimmer

saying that all over London people were taking pictures with his pose.
Funny Mo Farah was doing the same while Usain was doing the Mo Farah pose on the last day.

He really has presence - is truly young at heart.

[Johonny]

3. apparently probably a lot of steroids

at least that was the discussion on ESPN this morning... lot of useful steroid info thrown out this morning. Interestingly it was not to slam Bolt but to sort of point out if your Carl Lewis you probably don't want to throw stones. Made you wonder why they bother testing and why I should care if they do or don't use them.