Athletics: Olympic gold medallist Yohan Blake believes his time will come to take over from fellow countryman and the world’s fastest man Usain Bolt. Blake joined Bolt as part of the Jamaican team which won the men’s 100m relay gold medal at the London Olympics after finishing runner-up to his training partner in the 100m and 200m.
Blake, who had beaten Bolt in the Jamaican Olympic trials, has set his sights on being number one by the next Games at Rio in Brazil in 2016. “When I beat him at the Jamaican trials it gave me a lot of confidence.”
Bolt was carrying an injury when he arrived in London but was able to defend his 100m and 200m titles, beating Blake into second place in both races. “When I came into London I knew when he got a
bit of fitness he was going to be great. I think this is his time and I’m going to get my time.”
Blake believes rivals try to put pressure on him and Bolt by trying to come between them, but he thinks they are wasting their time. “A lot of people try to break us up; they say we can’t train together. We have a wonderful chemistry. We are friends.”
Blake also paid tribute to the British fans who made him very welcome in London. “I think it was a wonderful Olympic Games. The people, every day the stadium was full and the British they supported us, not only their athletes.
“I love London, I love the British people. When I finished my race and I won my medal people were hugging me, I loved that.” Blake also explained he could have played cricket but was steered towards athletics by friends when they saw how fast he could run when he was bowling.
Blake confirmed he intended to take part in the Big Bash League, a Twenty20 competition in Australia, along with Bolt. “I could be a top man for the West Indies,” added Blake.