It doesn’t even matter that Usain Bolt is not American. That he is a representative of Jamaica is a moot point.

When he crossed the finish line — check that, 20 meters before he crossed the finish line, when he opened up his arms and started thumping on his arrogant chest — I was literally embarrassed. Embarrassed for Bolt, for Jamaica, for the other participants of the race and for anyone who knows anything about sportsmanship, something Bolt certainly forgot to pack with him on his flight to Beijing.

“It wasn’t planned. I wasn’t celebrating,” Bolt said of his premature celebration. “I was excited.”

Does Tiger Woods pump his fist before his ball ever drops into the hole? Does Kobe Bryant thump on his chest before a launched 3-pointer tickles the twine? Does Pedro Martinez ever slap his glove and point to the heavens before a batter swings at strike three?

No, because all of these athletes have a certain level of expected sportsmanship. They know that if they celebrate prematurely and their mission is not accomplished, they will look foolish. Then again, if they celebrate and meet their goals, they will look confident and bold, but cocky and selfish, nonetheless.

What if, for some reason, Bolt tripped with 15 meters left and rolled past the finish line last, if he finished at all? He would have failed his entire nation, not to mention the whole nation of track athletes all over the globe. Instead, he won, setting a new world record in the process, essentially getting away with a murder of sorts.

“He’s the best,” said Asafa Powell of Jamaica. “There’s no stopping him. He could have been faster.”