Hopes rest on Usain Bolt to lead athletics out of doping darkness

LONDON

World athletics is counting on Jamaican superstar and six-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt to lead the sport out of its darkest hour amid doping and corruption scandals.

“I accept the man is a genius. He’s probably the most recognisable sportsman or woman on the planet. It’s a high-class problem. Many sports would really like to be discussing a Usain Bolt in their ranks: they don’t and they can’t,” said IAAF president Sebastian Coe who still believes that other track stars deserve the Rio spotlight.

Bolt landed in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday ahead of his bid to become the first man to win gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay at three successive Games.

“I know the sport needs me to win - and come out on top,’’ Bolt said, assessing the damage caused by the Russian doping scandal that has divided sports leaders. As for his pursuit of a treble Olympic treble next month, he said: “I’m not going to lose one of the golds, for sure.’’

The Jamaican superstar arrived on a flight from London to kick-start his preparations ahead of starting the defence of his titles in just over a fortnight.

Bolt’s campaign will start with the 100m heats on August 14. The 29-year-old arrived on the back of easing to victory in the 200m at the Anniversary Games in London last week.

He clocked 19.89secs to win the 200m at the London’s Olympic Stadium – almost four years since he won the 100m, 200m and 4x100m crowns.

Meanwhile, Bolt’s vast army of fans will be able to support him in his unprecedented ‘triple-triple’ bid in Rio – thanks to his own series of emojis.

Puma has launched the ‘Boltmoji’ for Apple and Android including Bolt doing his famous ‘To Di World’ pose.

Others include the Jamaican flag, Bolt running and Bolt with various expressions, such as crying, winking and with hearts for eyes.

Elsewhere, the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) have excluded steeplechaser Jamel Chatbi from the Rio Games due to missed drug tests.

The Moroccan-born athlete, who once served a three-year ban for doping, will not travel to his maiden Olympics after missing a third random doping control in one year.

In accordance with the regulations of national athletics federations, athletes must adhere to a ‘whereabouts programme’ in order to comply with strict anti-doping rules.

A statement by CONI Thursday announced: “CONI, in concordance with the Italian Athletics Federation, has excluded the athlete Jamel Chatbi (3000m steeplechase) from the Rio Olympic Games for missing a third doping control in the last year.

“The Italian athletes going to Rio now number 308 (164 men and 144 women).”

Chatbi, 32, competed for Morocco at the 2008 world cross country championships.

A year later, he won 3000m steeplechase gold at the Mediterranean Games and, at the world athletics championships, he withdrew from the final after failing a mandatory control when he tested positive for the steroid clenbuterol.

Chatbi was handed a three-year ban from competition on August 18, 2009, but applied for and was given Italian citizenship in 2012.