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Was vom Tage übrig bleibt (4)

Ein wenig Lektüre:

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. 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.  

2 Gedanken zu „Was vom Tage übrig bleibt (4)“

  1. Martin Sommerfeld

    Ohne jetzt die Umstände des damaligen „Nicht-Dopingfalls“ Carl Lewis näher zu kennen, aber „people tried to make something out of nothing“ klingt haargenau wie die heutigen Ausreden, die man bei jeder positiven Probe zu hören bekommt. Dass das in einem von hundert Fällen dann auch mal tatsächlich stimmen mag … Pech gehabt.

    Bleibe lieber skeptisch und habe dabei ja immerhin Carls Segen: „…if you don’t question that in a sport that has the reputation it has right now, you’re a fool. Period.“

    ;-)

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