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'Some Americans shouldn't leave the country':
Nine time U.S. gold medalist Carl Lewis attacks Romney over diabolical first visit to London


By Toby Harnden , Thomas Durante and Daily Mail Reporter
PUBLISHED: 00:39 EST, 28 July 2012 | UPDATED: 10:05 EST, 28 July 2012

U.S. Olympic legend Carl Lewis has further embarrassed Mitt Romney on his abysmal diplomatic visit to London by claiming next time the Republican presidential nominee 'shouldn't leave' America.

After making the epic faux pas of questioning whether London was fully prepared to host the Olympic games, Mr Romney has been jeered on American TV and slammed by top British politicians, with London mayor Boris Johnston mocking the Massachusetts governor in front of a crowd of 60,000.

As Mr Romney spent Friday frantically attempting to win over the British public after his disastrous Olympics gaffe, the nine-time Olympic gold medal winner joined in the assault on the presidential hopeful, who has been branded 'Mitt the Twit' and 'Party Pooper' by the UK press.

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Gaffe: Mitt Romney, pictured at the Opening Ceremony. . . Winner: U.S. Olympic star Carl Lewis

'Seriously, some Americans just shouldn't leave the country,' he told UK newspaper the Independent.

When asked whether London was ready to put on the games, the American track star said: 'Of course London is ready.'

The UK's major political power players have been queuing up to criticise Mitt Romney after he kicked off his maiden foreign tour by publicly questioning whether London would be able to run the Olympics smoothly.

Mr Romney told NBC this week that there were 'disconcerting' signs that London was ill-prepared for the games.

The remarks incensed stoic Britons, with the most high-profile humiliation coming when thousands of people jeered him after he was mocked by London's Mayor Boris Johnson at a concert to mark the end of the Olympic Torch relay.


Backpedal: Mr Romney, pictured at the Opening Ceremony with wife Ann,
spent Friday frantically attempting to win over the British public after his disastrous gaffe


Angry: U.S. sporting legend Carl Lewis, pictured centre, at a pre-Olympic event on Friday,
joins a long list of politicians, comedians and celebrities mocking Mr Romney

On Friday morning, the UK culture secretary, Jeremy Hunt, referred to Mr Romney's gaffes when he was asked about London's readiness for the Games.

According to The Guardian, Mr Hunt told the ITV show Daybreak: 'The person I care about more is Jacques Rogge, the president of the International Olympic Committee, who said London was the best-prepared city he had ever seen.

'When we have the opening ceremony tonight and we tell the world that eight of the world's top 10 sports were either invented or codified in Britain – and only two in America – I hope Mr Romney is watching.'

However, behind the scenes officials were even more scathing about the Republican presidential hopeful, describing his visit as a 'car crash' and comparing him unfavourably to Sarah Palin.

Another official who met with the former Governor of Massachusetts said he was 'apparently devoid of charm, warmth, humour or sincerity'.

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'ROMNEY IS A WAZZOCK': BRITISH PRESS TURN ON REPUBLICAN
Romney

The British media were quick to launch into Mitt Romney in the wake of his less-than-complimentary views on London's Olympics.

The Daily Telegraph's Lucy Jones branded him a 'wazzock' (which the Urban Dictionary defines as an idiot or daft person') after the U.S. presidential hopeful questioned Britain's desire to host the Games.

She said: 'Who does Mitt Romney think he is? I feel a glimmer of protectiveness and pride... there's one thing Romney could learn while he's in Britain this week: some manners.'

Nicholas Watt, from The Guardian, tweeted of his U-turn: 'Mitt Romney rowing back like mad on Olympics: Now says outside No 10 games to be a great success.'

Meanwhile, Paul Harris said: 'Good old Mitt. His charm offensive in the UK failed to be charming, but he really pulled off the offensive bit #gop #romney.'

James Kirkup, also from The Daily Telegraph, drew attention to Prime Minister David Cameron's response to Romney's comments.

'Mr Romney made his name salvaging the Salt Lake City Winter Games in 2002, an achievement he may think qualifies him to comment on preparations for London 2012,' he said.

'In the context of Mr Romney's glittering resumé, one of Mr Cameron's (faintly defensive) comments bears particular attention: "We are holding an Olympic Games in one of the busiest, most active, bustling cities anywhere in the world."

'Of course it’s easier if you hold an Olympic games in the middle of nowhere.'

'Some cynics thought that the "middle of nowhere" comment could just be a swipe at Salt Lake City, which is quite near the middle of, er, Utah. Terrible people, cynics.'

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wazzock

English
Etymology

Possibly from wiseacre.
Noun
wazzock (plural wazzocks)

(UK, mildly pejorative, slang) a stupid or annoying person.