From The Independent

He may have become the first man to win consecutive gold medals in both the 100 and 200 meters but International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge has denied Usain Bolt the third title he came to the London 2012 Olympic Games to collect. Jacques Rogge has told the Jamaican sprinter he is not yet a “living legend”.

Speaking ahead of last night’s 200 metres final, he told reporters: “The career of Usain Bolt has to be judged when the career stops.” He added that Bolt is an “icon” but has not yet achieved his stated aim of legendary status.

Rogge said: “If you look at the career of Carl Lewis, he had (four) consecutive games with a medal. Let Usain Bolt be free of injury, let him keep his motivation which I think will be the case ... Let him participate in three, four games, and he can be a legend.”

After completing his 200m victory, Bolt said the race put him in the same category as Michael Johnson, which he saw as an honour.

“It’s what I came here to do. I’m now a legend, I’m also the greatest athlete to live,” he said.

But Rogge reiterated his belief that achieving Olympic success over a long period is what makes the difference. “What Michael Phelps has done in Beijing (eight gold medals) and what Usain Bolt has done now in the 100 metres and maybe in the 200 metres later this evening, this is something that you will not forget,” he said.

“This is something exceptional. I think that achieving to win a medal in consecutive games is a great performance. The time factor is so important.” Rogge cited British rower Steve Redgrave, who won gold medals at five consecutive Olympics, and British sailor Ben Ainslie, who won his fourth straight gold at these games.

He said: “You have to be there, you have to be at the top for almost 20 years which is a great achievement.” Rogge, who competed in three Olympics for Belgium in sailing, said of Ainslie: “He’s now the greatest sailor of all time.”

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