Glasgow 2014: Usain Bolt slur denial at Games debut
- Published
Usain Bolt has made his much anticipated Commonwealth Games debut - and again denied making disparaging remarks about Glasgow 2014.
The sprinter said he was enjoying the Games and would never use the words attributed to him.
The fastest man on Earth comfortably led Jamaica to victory in the 4x100m heat on Friday evening.
The Times newspaper, external, which quoted Bolt as saying he was "not really" having fun in Glasgow, stands by its story.
Despite the controversy, Bolt received a rapturous reception at Hampden Park.
His name was greeted with a huge cheer when it was read out by the stadium announcer
After the race he said: "I can't believe she (Times reporter Katie Gibbons) actually said that.
"You know me, first of all I would never use that word if I was going to say that, but for me, I love competing.
"I'm here because of the fans and because I want to be at the Commonwealths.
"I'm enjoying it - it's been good and people have been so nice to me so I'd never say something like that."
He added: "It was rough, everybody wanted to say something but I didn't want to say anything else. Last time I had a simple conversation it turned out to be worse for me so I decided 'you know what, I'm going to wait until I get the chance to speak'.
"It's great, for me, everything has been good, just the weather, it's too cold for me.
"The fans have been wonderful, I'm happy to be here and I'm looking forward to enjoying what's going on.
The Times' Scottish editor, Angus Macleod, has said he has complete confidence in the story and the paper has published a transcript of the interview.
- Published31 July 2014