Yohan Blake targets Paris Olympics for last hurrah
Published:Tuesday | October 24, 2023 | 12:11 AMOrane Buchanan/Staff Reporter
DESPITE failing to secure a spot on Jamaica’s 2023 World Athletics Championships team in Budapest, Hungary, Yohan Blake, the youngest ever men’s 100 metres world champion, has set his sights on not only making the 2024 Olympics team but to also secure a medal.
Speaking to Radio Jamaica Sports last Friday as he launched his Reviere Purified Water brand at the AC Marriott hotel in New Kingston, Blake said that the current crop of local sprinters deepens the relay pool and he will add winning a relay medal at the Paris Olympics to his wish list.
“I’m looking forward to this Olympics and I definitely want a medal. I want to finish my Olympics career on a high and I would love Jamaica to win the 4x100 metres relay at that Olympics,” said Blake who added that he is very proud of the youngsters who have been doing well in the past two years.
The 33-year-old Blake is still the second-fastest man ever over 200m with 19.26 seconds and only Usain Bolt (9.58 and 9.63) has run faster times in the 100m than Blake’s 9.69. The two-time Olympic sprint relay champion and two-time silver medallist over 100m and 200m revealed that over time he has studied his races and with changes to his training routine, diet and sleeping patterns, he’s of the opinion that this will reap rewards.
“I’ve studied my races and have seen that athletes are pulling away from me in the last 60 metres. I’m right there, I have my speed but I’m lacking some strength and a little endurance as I didn’t put in what I had to put in. I had a back injury, so I was nursing that. I’ve changed how I train, eat and sleep and I think it’ll make a lot of difference,” he added.
Blake, who is under the watchful eyes of former teammate-turned-coach Michael Frater, also highlighted that this could be the perfect combination for him as Frater is someone who understands him well. He also pointed out that having training partners in Ackeem Blake and Briana Williams is added motivation in the training group as they bring a certain vibe and positivity to the training sessions.
“Michael Frater has been to so many Olympics with me and was part of so many record-breaking teams, he understands me and knows what can carry me to the next level. Working alongside Ackeem (Blake) and Briana (Williams) is going to change that as they’re positive and have a lot of vibes around them,” he stated.