The row between Usain Bolt and the Times over whether he called the Commonwealth Games “a bit shit” shows no sign of abating – with the newspaper insisting they stand by the story “100%” and Bolt calling it “nonsense”.

Bolt has spent most of his time in Glasgow in his room in the athletes’ village, but he did venture out on Wednesday to watch Jamaica’s netball team, the Sunshine Girls, lose 50-42 to New Zealand. And while he appeared relaxed, posing for photographs with volunteers, waving a Jamaican flag, and even vigorously joining a Mexican wave, his entourage quickly called for security when he was approached by journalists for a comment.

One reporter, the Daily Mail’s Jonathan McEvoy, had his accreditation ripped off him in a heated row with one security guard before being led out of the netball arena – although he was later allowed to return. His crime, he claimed, was to say to Bolt’s agent Ricky Simms “is he denying that he did the interview?”

According to the Times journalist, Katie Gibbons, she approached Bolt on Tuesday as he waited in the rain for his car at the athletes’ village. After she showed Bolt her media accreditation, he reportedly said that “the Olympics were better”, that he was “not really” having fun in Glasgow, and that he felt the Games were “a bit shit”, before he left “to do some business”.

The Times published a 70-word transcript of the conversation in Thursday’s paper. The paper’s Scottish editor, Angus Macleod, said he had full confidence in Gibbons, adding: “We stand by this story 100%. We have utter confidence in this story.” As Bolt passed Gibbons at the netball mixed zone on Wednesday, she shouted to him: “Why did you deny what you said to me yesterday?” Bolt didn’t appear to hear – or didn’t want to hear. His response to a question about what he thought of the Games consisted of one word: “Awesome.”

However, earlier the Jamaican sprinter was more forthcoming on Twitter, saying: “I’m waking up to this nonsense. journalist please don’t create lies to make headlines”. Simms also claimed the reports were “utter rubbish”, adding: “The atmosphere in and around the stadiums has been absolutely fantastic and I have absolutely no idea where these quotes have come from.”

Many of Jamaica’s netball players appeared to wave at Bolt at half-time, but afterwards they were reluctant to talk about whether his appearance had distracted them. “Can’t you ask me a question about the game?” said Romelda Aiken, while the team’s goal defence, Stacian Facey, insisted: “I didn’t even know he was here.”

Games officials have denied the row is distracting from the competition. Mike Hooper, the chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said: “We take Mr Bolt at his word. His tweet says it all. These are a fantastic Games.

“As you saw in his press conference last Saturday he is very upbeat. He is really positive about running the relay and I don’t wish to comment on the journalist and work of the Times.”

Bolt, who has not raced all season because of a foot injury, is due to run in the heats of the 4x100m relay Thursday night and the finals on Saturday. When he met the media last weekend he insisted he was eager to make his Commonwealth Games debut, having missed Melbourne through injury in 2006 and Delhi in 2010 because the event came too late in the season. Cynics, however, suspect his multi-million pound sponsorship deal with Virgin – who are “the official presenting partner of athletics” at these Games - has played a part in his involvement too.

Another Jamaican sprinter, Jason Livermore, also expressed disquiet about the Games. Asked what he was making of the life in the athletes’ village and his well-being he told the BBC: “Well it can be better – things can be a little bit better for us. Can be better in a lot of sense. We have to just enjoy and give God thanks.”

Speaking after his 200m heat, he added: “I hope Usain’s having a better time than me. The people in Scotland are very welcoming so I can’t complain. There’s a nice atmosphere and a nice crowd. But it’s very cold. Back in Jamaica it’s not like this. I need to get me some clothes. It’s freezing.”

On Monday, the Jamaican 100m sprinter Kemar Bailey-Cole negatively compared his Glasgow experience with that of London 2012. “I can’t compare them,” he said. “London was really different food. It was way better than this. Scottish food could do with some more seasoning”. A question about whether he had tried haggis was met with a look of outright horror.

Times transcript

KG Hi Usain, I’m Katie Gibbons, a reporter from The Times. Nice to meet you

UB Hi

KG How are you?

UB (shrugs)

KG So are you enjoying the games? Are you having fun?

UB No

KG Really, why not?

UB I’m just not... it’s a bit shit (shrugs, looks up to grey sky)

KG What do you mean?

UB I’ve only been here two days

KG Is it like the Olympics?

UB Nah. Olympics were better

KG Really, how?

UB (shrugs)

KG Where are you off to now?

UB To do some business