Class Act: Usain Bolt Drops Everything to Honor U.S. National Anthem
- Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:05pm by
Becket Adams
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Jamaican sprinter and four-time Olympic gold medalist Usain St. Leo Bolt is one classy guy.
As American Sanya Richards-Ross awaited her gold medal for winning the 400-meter dash, the “Star Spangled Banner” began to play. At the same time, Bolt was being interviewed by a Spanish journalist.
This is where it gets good.
Instead of continuing along and talking about, well, whatever he was talking about, Bolt halts the interview, asks the reporter to be respectful of the moment, and stands in silence to honor the U.S. national anthem and Richards-Ross’ victory.
“So cool,” writes Townhall.com’s Kate Hicks.
“As much as I love watching the USA take the gold in as many events as possible, that is what the Olympics are all about: sportsmanship and respect. Congrats to both Richards-Ross and the aptly-named Bolt!” she adds.
Very cool, indeed.
Follow Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) on Twitter
(H/T: Town Hall)
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Comments (201)
TJexcite
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:35pmNo matter what anthem was playing it would have been to loud to carry out an interview in the middle of it when it is loud enough to be heard in the whole stadium. Even the crowd after makes it hard to hear. Still classy to show respect and turn to the award ceremony and flag raising.
Report Post »JL320
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 9:33pmCan we trade some American hating liberals for this guy?
Report Post »BetterInformed
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 9:47pmThe New Wheaties box image?
Report Post »PoliticiansRCrooks
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 10:07pmWhat are we honoring? Communist America? Our Constitution? Our Founding Fathers? It all sounds so hypocritical to me. America is a joke. Nothing but a socialist country out to steal from their own people.
Report Post »yougottabekidding
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 10:51pmPoliticiansRCrooks
We have not yet lost our honor, if we loose that we ARE done!
Report Post »The man has class, thank you
db321
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 11:41pmThis guy is a class act and his Country Loves him – he has earned the Worlds respect.
Report Post »Reverend-Joe
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 11:43pmI just watched a video of one of Bolt’s recent victories. Upon winning the race he Tebowed then blessed himself. – A new fan here!
Report Post »midwesthippie
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 11:53pm…he has more respect for people and our anthem than most Americans…bittersweet…
Report Post »NOT A CRAZY
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 1:10amIt would be nice if we had a president who showed that much respect to our flag.
Report Post »BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 3:23amHow does one get through this without welling-up. I have often wondered. If you truly love your country and understand exactly what our anthem means, how do you not just sob while standing up there?
For all you America-haters out there, go live in another country for a while and see if the U.S. does not grow on you just a bit. If you did this and still have no appreciation for what the United States stands for, I’d say you were lying.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 7:32amNo matter what anthem was playing, it would have been respectful to stop the interview. I would hope our athlets do the same for other countries.
Report Post »BetterInformed
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 7:51amPoliticiansRCrooksRIdiots
So you’ll be moving to someplace less socialistic, say Iran?
Report Post »Tankertony
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 10:14am@ politiciansarecrooks (some are, nothing unique about America there)
If more people think like you, yes, we’ve lost our country.
Report Post »We’re in a epic battle for the soul of our country against the godless leftists, and there you are crying like a little girl.
You are a coward. Your protestations are pointless and only hurt the cause.
IsThereADifference
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 10:25amPOLITICIANSRCROOKS
I agree wholeheartedly and I respect your astute observation which describes our country’s negligence in upholding the values set forth by our Founding Fathers the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
YOUGOTTABEKIDDING
BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?
BETTERINFORMED
These people are fat and happy right now in the currently declining “land of plenty” They have no clue as to how America became great and they do not cherish the values which made this country free and prosperous. Never mind the fact that the very prosperity they slovenly role around in is being used up and will not be available for America’s future generation. It would be nice if people were betterinformed…
Report Post »IsThereADifference
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 10:27amAnd; there is a never-ending sea of them… (plays taps for the U.S.A.)
Report Post »KBARRANCH
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 10:56amGuaranteed he did that to big pimp on the Lady from US that just won gold. Things dont happen by accident, this is pre-meditated, Holmes! Watch and mark my words, they start dating within 3 months of the games.
Report Post »Blazebanned
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 12:18pm@politiciansrcrooks.
Report Post »You sound like you’ve given up, or never have tried to stop the tyranny in this country.Actuclly, your statement sounds more like a coward, and encinom,could you be him?…..
bearcattower
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 1:36pmnow if we could only get our imposter n thief to show such respect considering the trust all Americans place in him.
Report Post »USA5
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 4:47pmLove the Trade Idea….
Report Post »I AM starting a list…ha ha
RWCT
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 8:11amWorld class athlete. World class person.
Report Post »IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:34pmI am so proud of you, sir God Bless America
Report Post »woodyb
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 9:39pmWhat are he Vegas odds that OBAMA would stop an interview for OUR national anthem???????
Report Post »bigdaddyt46
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 2:45am@woodyb
obama would stop and say would you cut that ****, how dare you interrupt me. and next time i’d prefer you play that after i am done speaking.
Report Post »RayOne
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 5:36amReminds me of a time when athletes were heroes and wanted to be the example.
Report Post »ConserveGurl
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 12:12pmNaa, Obummer always just talks over whatever music may happen to be playing at the moment, just like he did when he was toasting the Queen.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 1:39pmBolte was educated at USC, I think I heard. I Watched him run and then say a prayer either before or after (don’t remember) but I wish we could trade some America haters for him.
Report Post »I have noticed that ALL the black female athletes I’ve seen, in the Olympics, are pleasant, well-spoken ladies.
Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 1:49pmWith beautiful smiles, I might add.
Report Post »stevem55
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 3:49pmI take it you think ANY athlete should accord that sort of respect to the playing of ANY country’s anthem, not just this country’s, right? Well good, so do I.
Report Post »wingedwolf
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:29pmIt’s good to see that respect and dignity are not completely dead. I also stand silently when the national song of any country is being played. This gives me hope.
Report Post »randy
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:29pmWay to go Bolt!
Report Post »You’ve earned my respect!
viewpointe
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 10:04pmI agree!
Report Post »RamonPreston
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 10:40amEven if he doesn‘t win any events he’s still a WINNER.
Report Post »OhioRifleman
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 2:28pm@ Ramon
He’s won more than a few, already.
Report Post »MeteoricLimbo
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:27pmWell done and congrats to Sanya Richards-Ross!
Report Post »grandma7
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:26pmHe’s at the front of the immigration line, as far as I’m concerned. What a fine young man.
Report Post »Bill from NJ
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:25pmGreat job Mr. Bolt !
Report Post »Maybe our marxist muslin in chief, barry boy, will learn some respect for our American traditions.
Seems like the Jamaican Mr. Bolt can teach our indonesian barry sorento a few tricks on how to respect our own country.
ModerationIsBest
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:53pmYou talk about respect….while calling the President of the United States a Muslim and a Marxist.
Lol, height of hypocrisy.
Report Post »DesdemonasCrew
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 9:08pmBut….but….he is. What is disrespectful about that? Is it disrespectful if I call you a lefty moron? Oh. Okay.
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 9:16pmBarry Sorento is a Muslim. By sharia law he is the son of a Muslim father. That makes him Muslim in the eyes of Islam. He did attend church in Chicago but many people suspect that was more for political purposes than out of belief.
Jimmy Carter was our last president who was a Christian & a Democrat. Clinton carried a bible & went to church when the going got tough. It was all for show. Does he go to church now?
Obama does not even pretend. Why should he? They plucked him out of obscurity. He was a little known state senator that voted present until he won the seat as a United States Senate by unsealing his opponent’s divorce decree. between campaigning he spent less than 100 days in the U.S. Senate before he was president. The chosen one was picked by the intelligentsia & moneybags of the left. As such he does not have to pretend to be Christian.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 9:53pm@MODERATIONISBEST~~~~ You are so wrong. GOD says HE prefers us “hot” or “cold”, but because we are “lukewarm” HE WILL VOMIT us out of HIS mouth. I think I’d rethink my name, if I were you.
Report Post »CrismaFire
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 10:53pmHe is simply stating a truth but he was nice about it. I on the other hand am not nice and Obozo can kiss my grits. I have nothing good to say about Obozo. He is a worthless useless piece of substandard trash dragged up out of sewer deep in a Communist country. He is a Lowlife pile of excrement found from the remains of a twenty pound dung beatle with leprosy. To say I can stand Obama is like have scarabs crawl under your skin while eating you alive. He is a bonofide loser and traitor. Worthy of the death penality for treason.
Report Post »semperfiinny
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 12:06amtruth hurts ?
Report Post »semperfiinny
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 12:08amtruth hurts those that don’t want to hear it.
Report Post »shogun459
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 9:36amModerationIsBest
Mr. Middle of the Road about to get run over.
A Moderate amount of poisen is lethal,
A Moderate amount of Treason is still treason,
A Moderate amount of faith is faithless,
A Moderate amount of Rape is still rape.
If you stay on the fence, the middle of the road, stay “Moderate in all things”,
Report Post »You Stand for Nothing.
John 3:16
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 11:56amModerationisworst. NObama describes himself as a Muslim and bows to them duh !!!! Wake up troll. This why I like Jamaicans. Bolt is more American than Dumbo ever was or ever will be.
Report Post »Tom
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 1:30pmModeration…. Respect is earned and our dictator gets what he deserves, he dumps his feces laden crap all over Americans that produce and this is all the respect he deserves.
Report Post »chiquita
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 5:52pmModerationIsBest, you are wrong. It’s not hypocrisy, it’s fear. It’s fear of the POTUS that has proclaimed certain facts, beliefs, personal realities, and ideals in his two books, written by his hands (or so said). He, himself, claimed his sympathy with the Muslim religion and put himself into the position that he now finds himself by his own words and actions. He’s done very little to nothing during his term in office that he can “run” on for a second term, and has done numerous things that should be questioned and voted against. Why are his personal records and information not readily accessible, and haven’t been since before he was elected into office? Why is that not suspicious to his “blind, deaf, and dumb” followers? Now, as for the subject of this article, Usain Bolt……………………..class act, and I so wish that we had those like him in this country, in which they live and enjoy freedoms that the citizens of most other countries don’t, that had the honor, respect, and pride that this man does. Yes, he is truly a class act!!!! He shames a vast number of US Citizens as such!!!
Report Post »DennisHabern1
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:24amThe Moron that currently resides in the White House, but not for long, with his fat, ugly and
unappreciative side-kick, is a result of “CROSS-POLINATION,” and therefore destined for an early
demise, if you follow.
Report Post »spookchaser
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:24pmWhen he stops running, wonder if the US could hire him to come over and try to teach manners to some of our savages.
Report Post »PoliticiansRCrooks
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 10:08pmI’ll never salute to America. Your a pathetic bunch of Sheep.
Report Post »perry1980
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:24pmThank you sir. You were a class Act.
Report Post »Too bad the Williams Sisters don’t act like you.
TropicRanger
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 9:00pmCome on, man! Serena was caught in the moment of celebration. And…disregarding what the news comes out and calls it…it’s also called Clown Walking. YouTube it. It was just a dance. Be glad for America, for the love of God!
It is a shame that because someone has a different background, looks different, dances different, or has had different experiences than you that you can respond that way. It is absurd.
OTOH…Thank you, Mr. Bolt for your outstanding sense of character!
Report Post »FlagWavingPatriot
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:21pmIsn’t that a shame?? A foreigner has a lot more respect for our flag/anthem than does millions living in this country. I’d trade any one of those millions for him.
Well done, Mr. Bolt!!
Crawl – Walk – Jog – Run – Sprint – BOLT!
Report Post »prkw
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 9:42pmWith a name like BOLT, he will make himself a quite a bit of $$$ in endorsements. I can only imagine what a BOLT logo would look like and the “Crawl – Walk – Jog – Run – Sprint – BOLT!” is great!
Report Post »TumbleBumble
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 11:23pmPRKW ~ Already there. He has been all over running magazines, endorsing products and giving interviews since the 2008 olympics.
Report Post »Chief Joe
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 7:10amHow about we trade HALF of the millions of disrespectful losers for him?
Report Post »PeachyinGA
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:21pmMy impression of Bolt is that he was very arrogant. My opinion is greatly altered. He might be very confident, but his open respect for the national anthem of another country (particularly the US!!!) removes arrogant from my description of him.
Report Post »Want our country back
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:31pmDitto that
Report Post »WiredRight
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 9:16pmI couldn’t agree more… I follow track and this blows me away coming from him.
Report Post »DennisHabern1
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:33amI thought the same thing, but now, since Bolt has shown his true colors (I just love this pun),
it indicates the difference between Bold and the Moron that currently resides in the White House,
if you follow. 99% of Americans are frothing at the mouth to cast their vote on November 6, 2012,
for the Republican candidate. The Moron is the most the “HATED” individual in the United States
today; Hitler pales in comparison to this radical closet Muslim whose bent is to destroy the United
States along with his boyfriends, Eric Holder and George Soros.
Report Post »marklross
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:17pmDon’t forget how our illustrious president “honors” the Anthem……
http://husaria.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/obama_anthem.jpg
Report Post »Wilma
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:15pmA true gentleman
Report Post »Al Gator
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:22pmRev. Al, Jessie (love child) Jerkson, Van “Commie Pig” Jones et al. are already on record with the “Hey Yo, Uncle Tom WTF? and “Is yu nuthin but a Oreo?”
Good thing he is Jamaican, if he were American, his career would be over.
Report Post »imsteph
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:15pmTwo BIG Thumbs Up for Mr. Bolt!
Report Post »DEFCON4
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:14pmWhat a stand-up guy! Thank You Mr. Bolt for honoring OUR flag!
Report Post »rosie1000
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:13pmToo bad our own President would not have done the same. Maybe it will take another foreigner to teach him how to show proper respect to the United States. Thank you Bolt for being a great role model for all.
Report Post »idaho1
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 9:23pmAgree 100%
Report Post »finky555
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 5:03amCompare this Olympic winner‘s class to a nobel prize winner’s class
Report Post ».
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNRXGRFJdDY
sooner12
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:12pmI am nodding my approval right now.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 9:35pmI hear ya!!!!
Report Post »AmericanResolve
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:12pmFour words, one punctuation, one exclamation point: Class Act, Very Cool!
Report Post »david3755
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:11pmThat is a class act. Wish we had a President so patriotic.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:11pmAgree. So refreshing to see someone display consideration and respect. Apparently he has more than athletic ability.
Report Post »JustJason
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:11pmContent of Character! Bravo. His hard work and talent was curious. Now I am a fan.
So much better than the Crip Step. I view the Crip step the same as throwing a italian black shirt salute both were thugs.
Report Post »idaho1
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:11pmClass act indeed! I have a new found respect for Usain and Jamaica!
Report Post »Now, just how we get our President to do the same?
barber2
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:16pmCould we make a trade ?
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:30pmI will trade every OWS person for him and his entire family.
Report Post »thibx
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 9:18pmagree
Report Post »ktmrider1
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 10:07amI would trade him in a heart beat for america haters like poltitionsrcrooks
Report Post »tothepoint
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:10pmWhat a classy and respectful person!
Report Post »shorthanded12
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:10pmThats “CLASS”
Report Post »Four thumbs up Mr Bolt.
steveh931
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 12:51amI’ll second that.
Report Post »soybomb315_II
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:08pmwow. great on him
Report Post »