(ATR) Glasgow 2014 organizers are downplaying superstar sprinter Usain Bolt's alleged comments critical of the Games.
The Times of London reported that the Jamaican, while waiting for a car outside the athletes' village on Tuesday, said he was "not really" having fun in Scotland, the Games were "a bit [expletive]" and the Olympics "were better."
The story ran with a photo of Bolt and Prince Harry at the athletes' village shot earlier.
The Times said it stood behind the story. Bolt issued a denial via Twitter.
"I'm waking up to this nonsense. Journalist please don't create lies to make headlines," he wrote.
Bolt later attended Jamaica's netball match against New Zealand at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre. Glasgow is his first Commonwealth Games. He is scheduled to race in the 4x100m relay on Saturday at Hampden Park.
"His tweet says it all," said Glasgow 2014 spokeswoman Jackie Brock-Doyle. "I don't think I need to go back over what he said, but has woken up to something that he didn't believe that he did say."
Said Commonwealth Games Federation CEO Mike Hooper, "We're not trying to be the Olympic Games. We're not the Olympic Games. We're very much of and for the Commonwealth, a celebration of the Commonwealth, sport and culture within the Commonwealth, and what a fantastic event we're seeing here in Glasgow."
Hooper noted how glad Bolt appeared to be at a news conference after his Saturday arrival.
"He's very upbeat, very positive, focused on delivering for his country and other countrymen in the relay," Hooper said.
Nigerian Weightlifter Awaits Second Doping Test
Results of a B-sample for a Nigerian weightlifter who flunked a doping test at Glasgow 2014 are expected Thursday.
Chika Amalaha, the women's 53-kg gold medalist, was found to have taken amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide, which are banned as diuretics and masking agents, according to the WADA prohibited list.
The B-sample, which will confirm or deny the original sample, was sent to a WADA-accredited lab in London.
Amalaha is provisionally suspended. If the result is upheld, she could appear before the CGF court.
"We shouldn't presume anything just yet," CGF CEO Mike Hooper said on Tuesday.
Hooper said a total 731 samples have been taken since the July 13 opening of the Games period. Of those, 321 were pre-competition and 410 were during competition.
Written by Bob Mackin in Glasgow
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