I HAVE to admire Usain Bolt, the Jamaican sprinter, the most famous athlete in the world - if not the most famous sportsman.

He is undoubtedly ‘quite a character’ with a big personality who has lit up the past three Olympics. No sports person in history can compare to his his ‘triple-triple’ status, having won the 100 metres, 200m and relay golds in three straight Olympics. However, his extraordinary achievement of the triple triple is seriously under threat.

Bolt was part of the four man Jamaican sprint team that won gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 — along with Asafa Powell, Michael Frater and Nesta Carter — unfortunately for Bolt, Powell and Frater, the latter was found to have ingested a banned substance following the re-testing of samples from the China Games. The gold for that relay was taken away and awarded to the runners’ up, Trinidad and Tobago, instead.

International Olympic Committee rules state that an entire team forfeits all medals when one member tests positive, meaning the quartet have all relinquished their titles.

If I had just lost my ‘title’ as a ‘triple-triple’ status, I would definitely have been annoyed, especially as, in all innocence, I had no idea my team-mate had taken a banned substance. Not that, of course, there is the slightest possibility I could be compared to the great Usain — although I’m pretty nifty leaving the office on a Friday afternoon — even the Olympic champion would find it hard to catch me!

But what I like about Bolt is that he is so laid back, in true Jamaican style, about the whole affair.

‘Initially I was disappointed, of course, but in life, things happen,’ he is quoted as saying. ‘I’m not sad... I’m just waiting to see what’s going to happen but I gave up my medal.’

He bears no malice to Ness Carter, even though he and Powell and Frater, have a justifiable grievance.

Nessa Carter is appealing against the decision to the IOC but whatever happens it is a difficult one to judge — if he is guilty should the three other athletes be judged for their team mate’s transgression? How can the IOC, now, possibly take away the gold from the Trinidad and Tobago team? You would have the wisdom of Solomon to judge.

Mind you, that’s what I like about Usain — he just takes it all in his stride!