Sport

Usain Bolt accused of criticising Commonwealth Games

The Jamaican sprinter’s manager Ricky Simms says the quotes are utter rubbish

A royal welcome for Usian Bolt from Prince Harry at Celtic Park. However the Olympic sprint champion may needa royal pardon after criticisng the Commonwealth Games. Photograph: Danny Lawson/PA Wire

Wed Jul 30 2014 - 11:14

Jamaican sprint superstar Usain Bolt remarked that the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games were "a bit shit", according to a report in Wednesday's Times newspaper.

Bolt is reported to have been waiting in the rain for his car to arrive after briefly leaving the athletes’ village when he made the passing remark.

Asked if he was having fun in Scotland he is reported by the Times to have responded, "not really".

The six-time Olympic champion arrived in Glasgow last Saturday morning and, at a press conference in the main press centre, confirmed he would be running the 4x100 metres relay heats on Friday as well as in the sprint relay final on Saturday, the final day of athletics competition.

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Bolt confirmed he would be staying in the athletes’ village but added that he would be spending most of his time in his room.

Bolt has yet to race this year after taking time to recover from a foot injury but said he was in “pretty good shape” and looking forward to getting races under his belt.

He also said he was eager to make his Commonwealth Games debut having missed the Melbourne Games through injury in 2006 and not appearing at the Delhi Games in 2010, which were held in October.

Bolt’s manager Ricky Simms told BBC Sport the remarks attributed to the athlete were “utter rubbish”.

Simms added: “The atmosphere in and around the stadiums has been absolutely fantastic and I have absolutely no idea where these quotes have come from.”

Bolt arrived in Glasgow last Saturday morning and, at a press conference in the main press centre, confirmed he would be running the 4 x 100 metres relay heats on Friday as well as in the sprint relay final on Saturday

Asked what he expected from Glasgow, he said: “A lot of rain maybe, seeing a lot of kilts around the place. I didn’t come here with expectations, I’m just coming out and trying to see the country. I guess they will try to show me their culture.

“I always stay in the athletes’ village, it’s always fun to be among the athletes, it makes you relax more.

“I try not to walk around the village too much because I tend to take a lot of pictures. I will stay in my room most of the time.”

Bolt said he was looking forward to seeing the Reggae Girlz, the Jamaican netball team, during his time in Glasgow.

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