LONDON: The sky’s the limit but the focus is most definitely not on Usain Bolt, according to Yohan Blake, the fastest man in the world this year who will be going for the Olympics sprint double.
The Jamaican sprinter, who long lurked in the shadows cast by teammates Bolt and Asafa Powell, has roared to prominence as the potential successor to the illustrious Bolt. Blake, 22, has come a long way since being sat at home in Jamaica watching on the television as training partner Bolt won three golds in the 100, 200 and 4x100m relay in Beijing four years ago.
He took his chance to claim the world 100m title in Daegu, South Korea, last year after Bolt sensationally false-started in the final, and then stunned onlookers by beating Bolt in the sprint double in the Jamaican Olympic trials.
“My philosophy is that the sky’s the limit,” said Blake. “I’ve always wanted to be at the Olympics. It’s everyone’s dream. I’ve got no message for Bolt. He’s a good guy. I’m not focusing on Usain. It’s all about going out there, focusing and executing the race. Me and Usain are friends. When we’re training it’s all fun. We’ll be keeping all that good chemistry going.
“For me, I like to keep it simple. I want to beat those guys but it’s all about the execution.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 2nd, 2012.
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