Is the internet story of a young woman claiming to being dated by Usain Bolt going to be first of the distracting stories leading to defamation and the ultimate destruction of the most popular man in the world at the moment? One story of a young woman claiming to being dated by a young man is not news; except if one of the persons happen to be our very popular star attraction.

The immediate impact of the story is predictable. Questions are asked: what has happened to the local young lady that was identified at the scene of his triumph in Beijing? Already tongues have begun to wag. Image damaging adjectives such as ungrateful and insincere are generous in the offerings. There are those who remember the experiences of Mike Tyson, O.J Simpson, and more recently Tiger Woods and are concerned that if Usain is not circumspect in the conduct of his private life, he too will become a victim of his private indiscretion.

It has been my observation that public figures do not enjoy the privilege of personal privacy in their behaviour, unless their behavior is that which is accepted as fitting the noblest ideal. The standards required of public figures are as demanding as those imposed on Caesar’s wife. She was not merely expected to be innocent; she was expected to be beyond suspicion. There are different categories of public figures and they are all subjected to measurement by the same (“yard stick”) measuring instrument.

There are:

• those who seek to become public figures by seeking election to public office (the politicians)

• those who are born public figures (the Royalties)

• those who the public make public figures because of their achievement in the sporting arenas (the sportsmen)

The latter two, while not asking to be, they are nevertheless still called upon to meet the demanding standards required of public figures. Those who fail to meet them are harshly dealt with by society. It is widely accepted that Personal Experience is a wonderful teacher; however prudent people will teach that personal experience can be a painful and expensive teacher, so they teach that one should learn from the experience of others where the opportunity is afforded. If Usain and his management are not prepared to learn from the experience of others, they will learn how expensive and destructive it can be to make your own errors.

To a large extent, Usain’s management can do so much and no more. The ultimate weight will be upon the shoulders of Usain himself. He has to exercise the restraint to do what is right rather than to do what he thinks he can getaway with. It is fallacious to think there are any secrets. Whatever is done in darkness will be revealed to light. It is therefore wise for one to operate with the transparency that prevents anyone holding secrets for one, so that if night should suddenly turn to day, one would not need to try and run away.