Jacques Rogge Is the One Who Needs a Lesson in Class

Just when everyone thought that the IOC couldn't embarrass itself anymore, there's this.

Jacques Rogge finally broke the "Cone of Silence" that has descended over the Beijing Games.

It wasn't to say, "There will be no [Chinese] censorship of the Internet." (He's already said that.) It wasn't to congratulate Michael Phelps. It wasn't to protest the arrest and "re-education" of an elderly Chinese woman who wanted to protest the Games. And it wasn't to address why several equestrian competitors—and their horses—tested positive for a banned stimulant.

No, it was to criticize Usain Bolt for showing off during and after the 100m and 200m finals.

I'm no fan of showing off. I hate it when football players act like every first-down is a game-winner, or when every home run is treated like Kirk Gibson or Joe Carter's shots.

Bolt, with his "lightning" pose and his dancing around the track, is definitely a showman. But not in the T.O./Chad sense—Bolt actually won something. Something historic.

Would Rogge be saying this if Liu Xiang had won the gold in the 110 hurdles and then taken an extra lap around the track? No.

Did he chastise Phelps for yelling "Let's go!" and flexing his muscles after the incredible relay finish? No, because Phelps was genuinely excited, just as Bolt was when he realized his dream of breaking Michael Johnson's 200M record.

Some writers in the media have suggested that Rogge's criticism of Bolt shows a lack of cultural sensitivity. I'm not sure that it does. It's probably a product of Rogge's desire to have a controversy-free Games, and thus maximize profit.

Rogge only expressed concern over Tibet when protesters tried to disrupt the torch relay. He made promises that were not credible, but that tried to show the Chinese government in the best possible light and minimize political considerations.

Rogge won't touch the Chinese gymnasts' birth certificates, the repression that has occurred during the Games, or the arrest of foreign citizens. Nor will he address the awarding of the 2014 Games to Soche, which happens to be right next to the Caucasian breakaway republic of Abkhazia.

He has tried to hide behind the fact that the Olympics should be a refuge from politics. Rogge should know that by not speaking out, he has damaged the Olympic cause. But apparently, the only thing that Rogge is concerned about is...

Wait, the IOC is actually re-investigating the Chinese gymnists' ages? On the surface this seems like a big step in the right direction. But after already acquising the first time and not officallly exposing the passport doctoring, can the IOC be expected to act after the Chinese team (and individuals on it) have already won a large haul of gold medals?

Rogge definitely won't touch the issue of drug testing of Chinese athletes. Why have no Chinese athletes been caught doping when entire teams of them were thrown out of Athens? That would stir up too much trouble.

Rogge should be happy that Bolt, who has already been tested many times, is a clean athlete who is exuberant and wants to spread his sport's popularity. Yes, the Jamaican can be perceived to be a bit immature at times, but even Bolt's competitors say they weren't bothered much by his celebrations.

Besides, Bolt's high-profile character and stated desire to run the 400 in London 2012 should increase endorsements and visibility if Rogge is still around to preside over the London Olympics.

By bashing an athlete that is good for the Olympic movement over a very insignificant issue, Rogge has shown that he, too, can be seen as lacking class.