Usain Bolt has revealed Nesta Carter apologised to him after his positive drugs test stripped him of an Olympic medal.
The fastest man alive, Bolt, boasts a staggering eight gold medals from his legendary sprint career, as well as world records in both the 100m and 200m.
Usain Bolt is the only athlete to complete the sprint ‘triple double’, with 100m and 200m gold medals at three consecutive Olympics
Usain Bolt is the only athlete to complete the sprint ‘triple double’, with 100m and 200m gold medals at three consecutive OlympicsCredit: PA:Press Association
But there was a time when the Jamaican icon had one more medal to his name, with this figure placing him in the history books yet again.
Across Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio 2016, Bolt clinched three sprinting gold medals in three consecutive Games.
The remarkable feat saw him equal Paavo Nurmi and Carl Lewis’ record of the most Olympic gold medals won in athletics with nine.
Why was Usain Bolt stripped of an Olympic medal?
Unfortunately for Bolt this didn’t stand the test of time, as he was then stripped of one medal in the final year of his storied career.
In 2017, he lost his title, as a ‘triple-triple’ Olympic champion, when his triumph in the 4 x 100 relay at Beijing 2008 was discounted.
Bolt was part of a four-man team including Nesta Carter, Michael Frater and Asafa Powell that set a world record – crossing the line in 37.10 seconds.
But almost a decade later, Carter was found guilty of doping by the International Olympic Committee.
The sprinter tested positive for a banned substance, resulting in all of his medals being stripped – including his 2008 relay gold.
This had a knock-on effect on his teammates, as Bolt and co also had their medals taken away.
What has Bolt said about Nesta Carter?
And while many would expect Bolt to feel hard done by after losing his place in the history books, he has revealed he bears no grudges.
Bolt and Jamaica won relay gold at at the 2008 Olympics but they were all stripped of their medals after Carter (second from right)
In a recent interview with the Times, Bolt shared: “Nesta Carter came to me and apologised [about it].
“It was disappointing. But everybody makes mistakes. I’ve moved on.”
The Olympics great gave a similar assessment of the situation at the time, as he declared he was still proud of his legacy in the sport.
Speaking when the decision on Carter was made, Bolt said: “I am disappointed based on losing a medal.
“But it won’t take away from what I have done throughout my career, because I have won my individual events and that’s the key thing.”
He added: “What can you do? I’ve done all I wanted in the sport, I have really impacted the sport, I’ve really accomplished a lot, so for me, I can’t complain.”
Usain Bolt remains the world record holder for the 100m – 16 years on from when he first set it
It’s fair to say Bolt’s legacy was not tarnished by Carter’s actions, as he still holds all three of his 100m and 200m gold medals.
On top of that, he retains the world record in both, having set the 100m best at the 2009 World Athletics Championship.
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