Usain Bolt was once the target of verbal abuse during an Olympic final. Here’s everything you need to know about the unsettling incident that took place before his monumental victory.
In the lead-up to the 2012 London Olympics, while preparing to defend his 100m title, Usain Bolt had a plastic beer bottle thrown at him. This occurred just moments before the race began at the London Stadium, where Bolt was set to compete in the 100m final.
Many will recall Bolt’s legendary performance that summer, where he not only defended his 100m and 200m gold medals but also triumphed in the 4x100m relay, further solidifying his place in history. However, fewer are aware of the disturbing events that transpired in the moments leading up to his first race of the Games.
A man, who was in the midst of a manic episode, targeted Bolt. The man, Ashley Gill-Webb, had somehow managed to gain entry into the Olympic Park using a counterfeit ticket. Despite not having a valid ticket, Gill-Webb pushed his way to the front of the exclusive seating area, where he began to verbally assault the Jamaican sprinter.
The 34-year-old from North Yorkshire, who suffers from bipolar disorder, taunted Bolt, shouting: “Usain, I want you to lose, Usain, you are bad, you are an a*******,” among other insults. He even expressed support for Bolt’s rival, Yohan Blake, by yelling: “Believe in Blake, no Usain.”
As the race began, Gill-Webb’s behavior became even more erratic. He threw a plastic beer bottle onto the track during the 100m sprint.
Despite the commotion, Bolt remained unfazed, crossing the finish line in 9.63 seconds, setting an Olympic record. He secured the gold medal, with Blake finishing in second place and Justin Gatlin of the USA claiming the bronze.
Gill-Webb’s actions didn’t go unnoticed, and he was soon confronted by Dutch judo bronze medalist Edith Bosch. After being escorted from the stadium, he was arrested and later found guilty of public disorder in January 2013.
