Select Page

Talia Soares

Presenter

Sept 27, 2017

Talia Soares

Presenter

Trump makes reference to Bolt in middle of controversy5 min read

Sprint legend Usain Bolt ran right into the middle of the latest Donald Trump controversy after the US president last night responded to critics and protesters of the US national anthem with a clip of the world’s fastest man stopping mid interview because of the American Anthem but as Trump would put it, ‘showing respect’.

Bolt, during a live post-race interview with Television Espanol during the 2012 Olympic Games in London, had politely asked the reporter to delay her questions until after the playing of the US anthem, which could be heard inside the London Olympic Stadium during a medal presentation.

With the Jamaican flag draped around his neck, Bolt asked the reporter: “Can you cut the interview, is it live? National anthem …” before standing quietly, while the anthem played in the background. He would afterwards apologise for breaking the interview before answering her questions.

Last night the US president tweeted a clip of the interview and he also wrote, “Even Usain Bolt from Jamaica, one of the greatest runners and athletes of all time, showed RESPECT for our National Anthem!” accompanied with US and Jamaican flags.

Trump has made members of the sporting community particularly players and owners in the National Football League very upset after he attacked those who had protested against perceived racial inequality by kneeling or raising their fists during the playing of the national anthem before games, by suggesting that they be fired by their team’s owners.

Since Trump’s tweet about Usain Bolt, Many persons have responded by asking the US president not to draw our beloved Bolt in this controversy. One user even commented by stating “Let me just speak for all Jamaicans on this one: Please keep Jamaica and our national heroes out of your racist tweets. ” The Team Jamaica, a forum for the Caribbean island’s Olympic sports’ enthusiasts, immediately came to the runner’s defense and admonished the president to leave him “out of your politricks.”

X