Usain denies Bolt from the blue

Usain Bolt yesterday denied reports that he called the Glasgow Commonwealth Games “a bit s***”, ahead of his appearance in the 4x100 metres relay.

History’s fastest man accused The Times newspaper of “creating lies to make headlines” after it reported he rubbished the Games while waiting for a car outside the athletes’ village.

Asked whether he was having a good time in Glasgow, the Jamaican sprint star replied “not really” and said that the London 2012 Olympics “were better”, according to The Times.

Bolt’s manager, Ricky Simms, told the BBC that the reports were “utter rubbish”. “The atmosphere in and around the stadiums has been absolutely fantastic and I have absolutely no idea where these quotes have come from.

Bolt himself took to Twitter to deny the report. “I’m waking up to this nonsense ... journalist please don’t create lies to make headlines,” he wrote.

Angus Macleod, The Times’ Scottish editor, said that the paper had “utter confidence” in the story and that the reporter has “verbatim notes” of her encounter with Bolt.

A Commonwealth Games Federation spokesman brushed off the reports, saying: “The Glasgow Games have so far been fantastic and everyone there, including the competing athletes, seems to be having a brilliant time.”

Bolt has kept a largely low profile, but on Tuesday met Britain's Prince William, his wife Catherine, Dutchess of Cambridge, and his brother Prince Harry.

On Wednesday, Bolt turned up to watch Jamaica play New Zealand at netball, where he joined in with a Mexican wave and told reporters the Games were “awesome”.

The six-time Olympic gold medallist is due to make his first appearance in the Commonwealth Games in the 4x100 metres heats on Friday, with the final on Saturday.