Western Bureau:

As far as I am concerned, any debate over whether or not Usain Bolt is right in declaring himself a legend is worthless, unless those who object are prepared to revoke that designation from the sporting greats of the past.

Based on his phenomenal accomplishments at the last two Olympic Games and the last IAAF World Championships, I believe that, unless one is completely irrational, it would be easy to see why he is the undisputed greatest athlete of all time in my book.

It should be noted that unlike participants in other sports, where opponents, weather conditions, and other factors sometimes help to define results, in the case of Bolt it is the clock that has been recording his amazing exploits as a sprinter and is the source of irrefutable proof that he is the greatest.

While I have no desire to discredit any of the big stars of the past, some of whom have in their own way transcended their respective sporting disciplines, confronted with the raw evidence on Bolt, it would be disingenuous of me not to accept that he belongs at the helm of the pedestal.

In listening to some of the persons debating Bolt's legend claim, I find it amusing that some of them are sounding vague, if not off key. I simply cannot understand the notion that the performances are legendary but the performer is not a legend.

As to the argument that Bolt is too young to be considered a legend, and the diatribe that he should not be so recognised until the end of his career, I find it to be devoid of good sense. Regardless of your age, once you cross the required threshold, you should be recognised.

In regard to those persons who are declaring Bolt ungracious for declaring himself a legend, I think they are badly mistaken. As a student of track and field, Bolt is fully aware of the impact of his achievements, so as far as I am concerned he really needs no one to validate him.

It should be noted that long before Muhammad Ali had any phenomenal achievements in the boxing ring, he was already declaring himself the greatest on the basis that he was confident in his pugilistic skills, which allowed him to predict the round in which he would knock out opponents.

After his commanding performances in Beijing, Berlin and London, I am absolutely sure that Bolt knows where he stands in the record books in comparison to the likes of Jesse Owens, Carl Lewis and Michael Johnson, all of whose greatness is universally accepted.

Having gone out and eclipsed the performances of Owens, Lewis and Johnson, I believe Bolt should feel cheated, if not disrespected, when people are daring to suggest that he is cocky in declaring himself a legend and suggesting that he should wait until he gets old.

My hope is that the people around Bolt will quickly develop a top-flight marketing campaign to showcase him as the 'greatest', so that his phenomenal accomplishments will reap him the kind of financial reward, which is commensurate with his undeniable status.