I hate myself for writing this, much less thinking it, but is it a problem with my conscience or just a sign of the times?
I'm not sure, but I'd like to lean toward the latter.
Has BALCO moved across the water to Jamaica?
Usain Bolt, the gigantic, elegant and explosive Jamaican sprinter just joined Carl Lewis and Jesse Owens as the third person in history to win both the 100 meter and 200 meter in the same Olympics.
Not to mention, he also won both races in style, breaking world records in each.
As amazing as it was, neither race sits well with me, though. He didn't have to run hard in either race. Or is it that he is so smooth that he makes it look so easy?
Again, I am torn.
The 22-year-old Bolt is so dominating that it is hard to believe. His start is amazing for a man his size, and his overall dominance strikes past memories of past champions like Marion Jones and even Ben Johnson -- each of whom won their respective races with such ease over a world-class field.
In the grand scheme of life, it probably isn't fair to single out Bolt and not mention the absolute dominance of Michael Phelps. In fact, in the same breath it is really easy to question Phelps -- and "they" have.
The difference is that Phelps has always been dominant. Bolt is either just coming into his own or his competitors are not in top form. Coming into this 200-meter final, Bolt was only 5-9 in finals when matching up with American and close friend Wallace Spearman. Not only is that not dominance, it's not even mediocre.
In this race, Spearman and the rest of the field knew they were running for second before they even got into the blocks.
It's one thing to question every great performance, but it's completely different when questioning a performance that has only recently become dominant. On the other hand, it very possible that Bolt is just coming into his own as a sprinter, for he is a very young man.
Also, the Jamaicans' performance as a team has been amazing. They have always been a player in world track circles, but they are in position to sweep both the men's and women's sprints going into the women's 200-meter tomorrow night.
Doesn't that turn on a light bulb, as well?
What Bolt has done is historic and amazing. For sure, it will be must-see TV again on the tape delay later tonight. I just hope it is on the up-and-up, because the last thing that track and field or sports in general need is another amazing tainted performance.
