Usain Bolt had another outstanding Summer Games. He won gold in the 100, 200, and 4×100 relay, and the man just wanted a souvenir to take home to Jamaica. Unfortunately, some Olympics officials were standing in his way.
Bolt had just run the final leg of the 4×100 relay at a blistering pace to help Jamaica set a world record in the event on Saturday. But instead of handing the “stick” to an official, he kept it:
Two officials reportedly caught up with Bolt and demanded he hand over the baton, threatening to disqualify Jamaica if he didn’t. Bolt reportedly had an animated discussion with the officials and handed over the baton, leading to boos from the crowd.
The officials must have heard the boos because they relented and decided to let Bolt keep the souvenir.
“I got the baton back but at the start he was saying I couldn’t keep it because it’s the rule,” Bolt said after the race, according to 9 News.
“It was kind of weird because he actually told me that if I didn’t give it back I would be disqualified so I just gave it back to him.
“I took a picture with the guys, and I am going to frame the picture and put the baton below it — just something to remind me of London,” the gold medalist said.
I’m glad they let the man keep the baton. The Olympics fun police already ruined enough with their treatment of Ryan Lochte. There was no need keep a memento from Bolt just so they could make a few extra bucks at their yard sale.
GIF via BuzzFeed Sports
