Sebastian Coe today hailed Usain Bolt as a legend after Olympic chief Jacques Rogge insisted the record breaker still had to prove he deserves the title.
London 2012 chairman Lord Coe backed the Jamaican, who branded himself a true great in the wake of his historic performance in the Olympic Stadium last night.
Bolt became the first athlete to retain both sprint titles when he won the 200m final to follow the 100m crown he claimed in an Olympic record time on Sunday.
Although Bolt has been the star of London 2012, Rogge insists he must strike gold at two more Games to achieve the ultimate status.
And the International Olympic Committee president believes the 25-year-old has some way to go to match the achievements of former athletics star Carl Lewis.
“Usain Bolt’s career has to be judged when the career stops,” said Rogge speaking a few hours before last night’s final.
“If you look at Carl Lewis’s career, he had four consecutive Games with a medal. Let Usain keep his motivation which I think will be the case . . . let him participate in three, four Games, and he can be a legend. Already he’s an icon.”
However, Coe said: “Usain Bolt is clearly a legend — no one else has ever won back-to-back 100 metres and 200 metres.”
Lewis claimed nine golds from 1984-1996, including four consecutive long jump titles with his other crowns coming in the 100m (twice), 200m and 4x100m (twice).
Bolt, who runs in the 4x100m heats tonight, was at his showboating best following his latest triumph (left) and said: “I’m now a living legend. Bask in my glory.”
