"I want to apologise to the Jamaican people if at anytime it may have come across that all young people roll a joint," Bolt said in a statement issued through his manager Norman Peart.

 

"I would also like to urge the upcoming stars to stay away from any kind of drugs, as it is not of any value to them or the sport you participate in."

 

Bolt, who stormed to three sprint golds in world record times at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, was quoted by the Bild tabloid as saying "When you're a child in Jamaica, you learn how to roll a joint."

 

The statement noted that Bolt, "although although admitting to 'trying' marijuana as a child, has never used it as a competitor."

 

The Bild story sparked a storm of criticism in Jamaica, and Bolt called the situation "unfortunate."

 

Bolt, who won the 100 metres and 200m in Beijing and was part of Jamaica's 4x100m relay team that also claimed gold, is the second hero from the Olympics to be caught up in a scandal involving marijuana.

 

Earlier this year, swimmer Michael Phelps was forced to apologise after he was pictured allegedly smoking marijuana at a party after Beijing, where he won a record eight Olympic gold medals.

 

He was suspended for three months by USA Swimming over the incident.

 

The Bild article noted that Bolt said marijuana was not part of his lifestyle.

 

Bolt said: "Nobody in my family or those close to me smoke, and I don't hang out with people who smoke."