Michael Johnson Gives His Take On Usain Bolt's 100m Mid-Race Celebration

People might hate me for this, but:

I think it was cool. I think that is another thing track and field needs. Some "celebrity" athletes. Bolt won in a commanding fashion and celebrated before the line. That is talked about much more than if he had broken the world record under 9.6.

Yes, it was a bit cocky, but not too bad in my mind. If he runs the 400 and does the last 10m backwards while winning in WR time, then that might be pushing the showboating.

With distance races, you cant celebrate too early as there is still time for something to go wrong.

I loved it as well. I thought it was great to see someone who was just enjoying himself and making no apologies. I mean, dude is 22 and hes the best ever in the most popular track event on the planet. Live it up.

Jogger to be wrote:

Yes, it was a bit cocky

Seriously? That’s like saying that Hitler was a bit anti-Semitic! Don’t make excuses for this arrogant clown’s immaturity. Personally, I hope that he never sets another PR in the 100m. When he gets a bit older and actually decides to grow up, he will finally realize what an amazing opportunity he forfeited because of his childish antics.

Ben Johnson celebrated early in 1988. He doesn't put his arm up maybe he runs 9.77 I didn't believe it to be clean in August and I don't believe it to be a clean performance today. Born yesterday I was not.

rojo wrote:

In working on the site tomorrow

how was the future?

There is NO excuse! wrote:

Seriously? That’s like saying that Hitler was a bit anti-Semitic! Don’t make excuses for this arrogant clown’s immaturity. Personally, I hope that he never sets another PR in the 100m. When he gets a bit older and actually decides to grow up, he will finally realize what an amazing opportunity he forfeited because of his childish antics.

He learned his lesson when he had to appear on all those talk shows.

Djork wrote:

He learned his lesson when he had to appear on all those talk shows.

Ouch! That is a REALLY brutal counter-point. I just don't know if my ego will be able to recover from that one! LoL! You're missing the point, genius. He was on THE most high-profile stage throughout the entire sport, and in the shape of his life. In the middle of the race, he chose to act like a condescending a-hole in front of the entire world and disrespect his peers. That's truly pathetic.

Last year in the NBA Finals, the Celtics put on quite a show. They dominated a very talented Lakers team and regained the championship after a 20-year absence. In the last game, they were up by 29 points at the end of the third quarter. Obviously they had good reason to celebrate! But how would people have reacted if the Celtics who were still on the court had started clowning around like the Harlem Globetrotters for the duration of the fourth quarter, blatantly rubbing it in the Lakers' face? They would have been crucified, and you know it!

Bolt is a remarkable talent, but he acted like an immature jerk in the 100m final.

I totally agree and it was really the explanation that Bolt gave himself directly after the race when he said he was simply excited when he knew he had won his first medal (which definitely was 60m into the race as MJ said). I don't think it was a big deal at all and people need to move on.

He's a sprinter.....do you really need to say anymore than that?

I don't think he was the least bit childish. He celebrated. People celebrate when something good is happening. Even if he never sets a PR again, he's still got three olympic golds and two world records.

No problems here with what he did. It's not like he taunted his competitors or anything. He simply celebrated his win. Is it any different than a marathoner that has a 1/4 mile lead waving to the crowd and celebrating (see Ryan Hall)? I don't think so.

Now, had something happened in the last 20 or 30 m and Bolt lost because he was celebrating, well then, he would be the biggest chump in sports.

It would have been cool to see the record go under 9.6, but the win and the record were big enough. People need to get over it. As mentioned, he didn't rub it in others' faces. I agree that there is a balance and some class needs to remain in sports. However, it ain't Wimbledon and Jamaica got it independence from the British in 1962, so Usain doesn't have to act so proper. He can party like he wants to - provided he still has respect - which I think he does. The point is, a lot of other cultures dance and party and celebrate. All the proper people need to get over it and get back to their tea and crumpets.

Haji wrote:

It's not like he taunted his competitors or anything.

Arkman wrote:

he didn't rub it in others' faces.

Actually, that is EXACTLY what he was doing, intentionally or otherwise!

It's probably a safe bet that some of the people who are quite so forgiving are from the DyeStat generation. They typically possess a sportsmanship-related value system that is significantly different from their mentors. Further, many of them aren't old enough to remember Carl Lewis in the 200m at the 1983 U.S. Championships. He raised his arms in victory shortly before the finish line, but still set what was then the American Record of 19.75. Of course, that gesture hampered his momentum and stride a bit, probably costing him at least a shot at the standing WR of 19.72. Unfortunately, he would never surpass that time again.

In contrast to Lewis, Bolt very INTENTIONALLY curbed his effort, and I'm sorry, but pounding your chest while you're slowing down IS taunting! For those of you who compared it to a marathon runner's last lap, that's not a good comparison. The Celtics/Lakers analogy is much more appropriate.

You've come in second place a lot in life. Get over it, you'll have your time to shine someday. :)

Had he ran 9.73 and not broken the record, he would look a bit foolish. But he still broke the world record so luckily it worked out for him.

Bolt did the smart thing. Now his own record will be that much easier to break again, preferably at a Golden League meeting where he can get a bonus.

And as for the rubbing it in his competitors face argument, I don't think any of the other finalists made a big deal about it so why should you guys?

fUrCeOsNhN wrote:

I don't think

That's fairly obvious. From what I have seen & heard, most of the people who casually dismiss Bolt's taunting don't think, either.

How has no one got this already? Troll rating- 6/10. Solid premise, but tone gives it away.

rojo wrote:

I mean the Olympic marathon champ often enjoys the whole last lap.

Your thoughts?

Robert, there is a big difference! The "whole last lap" in a marathon constitutes about 1% of the race. Bolt was celebrating and taunting his opponents for the last 40% of HIS race! How do you think people would judge the Olympic marathon champ if he was intentionally slowing down, yelling to the crowd and pounding his chest for the last ten miles of the race?

I honestly don't know why the celebration was considered inappropriate in the 1st place and I lost any respect for Bob Costas and others who condemned his actions.

I also think the stupid rules to prevent footballers from celebrating after touchdown is stupid.