Bolt blames Jamaica's doping controversy for 'scaring off potential sponsors'

Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt has said that potential sponsors are being scared off and he has been cost money because of the controversy over Jamaica's anti-doping programme.

According to Sport24, Bolt, who is on a three-man shortlist for the male Athlete of the Year award, which will be announced by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) in the principality later on Saturday, has never failed a drug test.

High-ranking World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) officials went to Jamaica last month to look at the country's anti-doping efforts after weeks of criticism following positive tests from several high-profile athletes, the report said.

However, Bolt said that the fallout from the controversy was affecting him, according to the report.

Meanwhile, Bolt's manager Ricky Simms said rumours suggesting Bolt might not be at the next Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 had upset the sprinter and put off a potential sponsor, the report mentioned.