Bolt returns 2008 Olympic relay gold medal following teammate’s doping case

Bolt revealed this just two days after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed that Carter tested positive for methylhexaneamine, a banned stimulant, in re-analysis of samples from the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Carter and Bolt were teammates on the winning 4×100-metre team, which set a world record of 37.10 seconds. Carter ran the opening leg, and Bolt took the baton third in a team that also included Michael Frater and Asafa Powell.

Olympic rules state that the entire relay team can be disqualified and stripped of medals if one runner fails a doping test.

“The Jamaican team is disqualified,” the IOC said in a statement. “… the corresponding medals, medallist pins and diplomas are withdrawn and shall be returned.”

“I have already handed over the medal already,” Bolt said during his first comment on the issue on Friday at St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS).

The 30-year-old Bolt was at STETHS as a special guest of Digicel for the official opening of a new gym at the school.

“I am not fully happy about situation, but rules are rules and I will abide by my rules,” Bolt further said.

Jamaica may appeal the decision to strip the rest of its Beijing 4x100m relay squad.

According to Jamaica Olympic Association president Mike Fennell “we have to decide what the best legal process is. It is a team and we are interested in ensuring they are properly protected and given a fair chance of clearing their names.”

Carter’s lawyer confirmed on Wednesday that the sprinter will lodge his own appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

However, Bolt will not be a part of the appealing process.

Bolt said, “I will allow Carter to appeal. If he needs any help he could come to us and we sit and see if it makes sense, Right now, I will just let him do his thing. There is no bad blood between me and Nesta.

“They said they will appeal so we see what happens.  Right now I’m just listening, I just have to focus on the season, and I can’t be distracted. This is my last season and I just want to go out on a winning note.”

When you do see Nesta Carter what do you say to him?

“I don’t know. I’ve never thought about it as it must be hard on him also. I just have a normal conversation with him and try to see how he feels. It must be hard on him, but hopefully Jamaica will still show him some love and hopefully he don’t take it too hard.

“I haven’t seen him, I have never had his number, I haven’t seen him from that issue. But I’m sure I will see him soon because track and field is going on now.”

Bolt said losing a medal will not take away anything from his accomplishments.

He said, “I have done what I’ve wanted to do in the sports already. I have broken world records, I have won individual medals. I continue to dominate. Losing one medal… although it seems really bad, but it is just one of those things. It not going to deter from what I’ve done through the years.”

The relay title in Beijing completed the first of Bolt’s gold medal sweeps in the 100, 200 and relay at three straight Olympics.

Bolt set world record times for all three sprint titles at the Bird’s Nest, establishing himself as the defining superstar of Olympic track.

Carter, who did not compete at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, faces a ban from the IAAF.

Trinidad and Tobago is in line to get the gold medal from 2008, Japan could be upgraded to silver, and fourth-place finisher Brazil could get the bronze medal.