Central Coast Mariners say it remains "business as usual" for Bolt.GETTY IMAGES
A-League side Central Coast Mariners is "not buying into the speculation surrounding Usain Bolt’s European offer, declaring it is business as usual" for the eight-time Olympic Gold Medalist, according to Ray Gatt of THE AUSTRALIAN. The Mariners have some "serious competition" if they want to sign Bolt after Maltese side Valletta confirmed it approached Bolt with an offer to join the club "immediately on a two-year, plus one-year option contract." Central Coast CEO Shaun Mielekamp "could not throw any further light on the latest development." He said, "Usain Bolt will continue his indefinite training period with the Central Coast Mariners until any further notice. The club will be making no comment on media speculation regarding the future of Usain Bolt." There are suggestions that "the Bolt camp has been using the overseas interest in him as a ploy to force the Mariners into signing him." It "has also been suggested it is being used to put extra pressure" on Football Federation Australia to dip into its funds to "top up a contract for him" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 10/16).
EASY WAY OUT?: In Sydney, Vince Rugari opined Bolt has a "tough decision to make" after receiving a concrete offer to become a professional footballer. The Central Coast Mariners, the team that "indulged his dream," should be thanking their "lucky stars." A-League fans "might remember" Valletta as the "former home of infamous Melbourne Heart flop Michael Mifsud." Central Coast should not be "too disappointed." This could be the "perfect exit strategy" for the A-League club. The reality is Bolt "is not cut out for the A-League." Experienced defenders like Melbourne City's Bart Schenkeveld or Sydney FC's Alex Wilkinson "would eat him alive." However, Bolt "might not look so out of place in the Maltese Premier League, which is a few rungs down as far as standard of play" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 10/16).
ON THE DEFENSIVE: The PA reported the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority defended its decision to test Bolt. While the organization "refused to discuss Bolt’s case specifically," it pointed out that the Jamaican fell within its remit. ASADA said in a statement, "ASADA cannot discuss specific testing missions. Effective testing programs are critical to protect the integrity of sport and the right of athletes to compete on a level playing field" (PA, 10/16).
POOR CHOICE OF WORDS: RT reported Australian TV presenter David Koch "has come under fire" for using the word "slavery" to describe the potential sale of Bolt. Koch said on breakfast TV show "Sunrise," "So the Mariners sell him for money, they make a lot of money out of it?" Co-host Mark Beretta replied, "It’s a win-win. You keep him, great. You sell him, so be it, that’s the tough world of professional football." Koch added, "Who said slavery was over ... anyway, no" (RT, 10/16).
