Bolt rapidly turns on charm after stepping into it at ‘Friendly Games’

GLASGOW, Scotland: Organisers of the Commonwealth Games sought to limit the longterm damage to the competition’s international reputation after the world’s most famous athlete Usain Bolt was reported to have delivered a crushing verdict on his experience there – describing the sporting jamboree as “a bit s**t”.

The world 100m and 200m record-holder is alleged to have made the disparaging remarks – including an unflattering comparison with the Olympic Games in London in 2012 – as he left the athletes’ village in the drizzle on Tuesday after meeting Prince Harry.

His comments – reported in The Times – caused particular dismay in Glasgow.

This year’s so-called “Friendly Games” have been deemed a success by most observers.

The world’s fastest man issued a rapid denial on Twitter, accusing the paper of creating “lies to make headlines,” but The Times stood by its story.

Yesterday, as he watched netball, he insisted he believed the Games were “awesome”, posing for photographs, signing autographs and showing outward signs of having a good time – even joining in a Mexican wave.

Bolt is due to step on to the track today to take part in the 4x100m heats – his only event of the Games and the first in which he has run this year.

He will be hoping he has done enough to convince the 40 000 spectators at Hampden Park that he is back on message and not to be on the receiving end of a hostile reception.

His manager, Ricky Simms, told the BBC that the report was “utter rubbish”.

“The atmosphere

in and around the stadiums has been absolutely fantastic and I have absolutely no idea where these quotes have come from,” he said.

Bolt’s teammate, fellow sprinter Jason Livermore, had earlier indicated that it could be more than the “tough” weather conditions that were upsetting the Jamaicans when he hinted at some discomfort in the village.

The Times reporter Katie Gibbons said the newspaper would publish the “full conversation”.

The paper’s Scotland editor, Angus Macleod, said: “We stand by this story 100 percent. We have utter confidencein this story.”

Among those to question the newspaper’s report, however, was former England international footballer and the BBC TV anchor for the games, Gary Lineker.

“Have The Times got any evidence at all about supposed @usainbolt comment?

“Just wondered…” Lineker tweeted.

Dame Kelly Holmes, a noted middle distance star of recent years, said she hoped he had not made the remark.

“These Games have been brilliant.

“The Olympics are a mas- sive event but the Commonwealth Games is the only other multi-sport event that there is on this sort of scale,” she said.

Team Jamaica press attaché Laurel Smith suggested that Bolt may have been frustrated at the level of curiosity he was receiving.

“You can only play so many video games in your room.

“He’s a free spirit, but it requires security organisation when he wants to roam.

“He even gets a bagman to get his food from the canteen because it would create too much of a stir if he was there,” he said. – The Independent