'I'm going to say something controversial right now' - Usain Bolt called out Olympic legend and knew it would cause backlash

Usain Bolt once called out Carl Lewis after the American’s comments on Jamaican sprinters and doping.

Lewis, is among the most successful track and field athletes in history, having won 17 Olympic and World Championship gold’s across the 100m, 200m, long jump and 4x100m relay.

Meanwhile, Bolt is the long-standing 100m and 200m world record holder and widely regarded to be among the greatest Olympians in history.

Back in 2012, as Bolt looked set to outdo Lewis’ Olympic record of two 100m golds alongside a 200m gold and silver, the American voiced concern surrounding alleged planned drug tests in the Jamaican set up.

“Countries like Jamaica do not have a random [drugs testing] programme, so they can go months without being tested,” Lewis claimed.

Meanwhile, when asked specifically about Bolt prior to the London Games, Lewis said: “It's just... interesting. I watch the results like everyone else and wait for time to tell.”

In turn, after Bolt’s Olympic record victory in a 100m final that also featured the likes of Justin Gatlin, Yohan Blake, Tyson Gay, Asafa Powell, he insisted he had “lost respect” for Lewis.

Bolt is widely regarded to be the greatest sprinter of all time (Getty)

"I'm going to say something controversial right now, Carl Lewis – I have no respect for him," Bolt said.

“He is just looking for attention because nobody really talks much about him. It was really sad for me when I heard what he was saying, it was upsetting.

“I've lost all respect for him. It was all about drugs stuff for me. For an athlete to be out of the sport saying that was really upsetting.”

Bolt went on to claim another Olympic treble gold at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro games before retiring as the greatest sprinter of all time.