Vendors in Half-Way Tree, St Andrew, are calling the recent clampdown on the sale of items bearing the image of Usain Bolt as grossly unfair.

The vendors who learnt of the prohibition last week said the move from the management of the triple Olympic champion was inconsiderate. They said that barring the sale of the products was now slapping food off their plates.

Jacintha, a vendor, was very passionate when she spoke with The Star yesterday. "Mi nuh tink that fair still .. dem fi mek wi gwaan mek a living because is our likkle chance this," she said. "Dis (selling the shirts) a uplift nuff a we, so dem nuh fi ban dat. If dem ave a problem wid wi selling Usain shirts, then dem should ave a problem wit people selling the Jamaican flag, a so mi see it."

Lala* echoed similar comments, as she ensured that the few shirts on her stall with Bolt's image were carefully concealed. "Bwoy, dem seh wi nuh fi sell nuttin wid Bolt face on it because wi will get inna trouble. Dat nuh fair tho," she said. "Dem should jus mek we gwaan sell dem cuz a de whole a wi did a jump up fi him and cheer. We did jus a spread de joy, so dem fi free up Usain."

Top sellers

The seller noted that the shirts were top sellers, even at prices of $1,200. Now, however, her stall mostly bears shirts with the silhouette image of a runner with the text "The real big man: 9.69, 19.30", written on it.

Norman Peart, Bolt's manager, said that while the athlete's management team is overjoyed that the vendors are proud of his achievements, they (the vendors) were taking advantage of the sprinter's hard work. "We understand that everybody is happy but you can't be using somebody's image for your own profit, that is total abuse of his image," Peart said. "He has worked very hard to accomplish what he has and if anyone desires to do business with him, the correct way is to contact the athlete."

Peart continued that Bolt's official clothing line, being produced by Sun Island Jamaica, would be launched soon.

Just last Friday, the athlete's management team placed a notice in The Gleaner warning that persons illegally manufacturing and/or selling items bearing the sprinter's name and image would be liable of having legal action taken against them.

Name changed upon request.