Blake has eyes firmly fixed on sprint double at Olympics
BOGUE, St James — If he has the final say on the matter, IAAF World 100m champion Yohan Blake would contest the 100m/200m double at the JAAA Olympic Trials in June, as well as the quadrennial games in London later in the year.
Blake was expected to run the 200m at last year’s Trials but after placing second to former World record holder Asafa Powell in the 100m and securing his place on the team to the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, the decision was taken for him to forego the longer race.
But after an eye-popping 19.26 seconds at a late season meet in Brussels last year, the second fastest time ever, only behind his training partner Usain Bolt, the debates started as to whether he should attempt the double.
In an interview on Monday during a fun day he put on for members of his Bogue Hill community, Blake told the Jamaica Observer if he had the choice to make, he would run the double, but deferred to coach Glen Mills, who he said was “the man”, as far as making the final decisions.
When asked who made the final decision on who runs what events, Blake told the Observer. “Coach Mills makes that decision, he’s the man,” but added that based on the type of training he has been doing in the lead up to the season opening 100m run at this weekend’s fifth UTech Classic at the National Stadium, Blake said it appears Mills could be preparing him for the double.
Blake, who was the youngest world 100m champion at age 21 last year, opined that it would be a waste if he was not allowed to contest the 200m.
“After what I did last year, I am sure coach Mills would not want that to go to waste, but I don’t know what he has in mind, as he has not said anything to me about it yet,” he also said.
He all but ruled out any participation in the 4x400m relays, saying even without the 200m to run, he would have enough work to do at the Olympics.
Additionally, he said it would not be fair if he or Bolt were allowed to contest the 4x400m ahead of the men who would contest the 400m at the National Trials.