Tough crowd

WHILE THERE have been differing views on Yohan Blake’s claim that he gets no respect in his own country, former coach of the second-fastest man in history, Glen Mills, is reserving his comments.

Blake made the explosive claim on YouTube track and field social media programme ‘The Inside Lane’ yesterday, a clip from which has been making the rounds on X, formerly Twitter, and on Instagram.

The 34-year-old, who is the youngest 100-metre world champion and who has run 9.69 seconds over the shortest sprint and 19.26 seconds over 200 metres, times bettered only by the legendary Usain Bolt, has been a shadow of himself since picking up a devastating hamstring injury in 2013 and a recurrence a year later.

The former world champion has struggled to return to his best form, which has become more obvious in recent years, with many advising that he hang-up his spikes.

However, Blake has persisted and the former St Jago star, apparently has not taken kindly to some of the criticism he has been getting.

He did not hold back when the interviewer asked how this year had been going and what it meant for him.

“My head is all over the place because what I wanted to do at Jamaica trials I couldn’t get to do. I wanted to run my final Olympics, but I didn’t get to. But the journey continues same way,” he said.

He continued: “My own country Jamaica doesn’t give me the respect, and I am happy they don’t because other people outside do, and they appreciate me more than my own country.

“So I am happy. I have been able to be crowned elsewhere apart from Jamaica, so I am just looking to continue doing what I am doing until I am happy to step away when it’s time,” said Blake.

When asked if this has been the case throughout his career, Blake alluded to the reason he felt he wasn’t respected.

“Jamaica love winners, and once you are not winning, they are not supporting you. But I don’t need their support. I have my own support staff, my own support team. I am self-motivated.”

Blake also spoke to the reason for what he would consider subpar performances this season.

“My back has been bothering me. I can’t get up and sprint. I have some old injuries. I have been battling my hamstring as well. So it’s been a fight this season.

“People looking on from the outside don’t know what’s going on, on the inside. I just have to let them talk. I know I have a lot of thread on the wheel same way. So I am still spinning.

“I have been knocked down so many times, and I know what it feels like to stand up. Probably this is not my season, probably next season is a better season. But I know what I can do. I have felt it in training, and I know it’s there. It’s just for me to do it,” he said.

Mills, the man who coached Blake to his greatest successes, said he had not seen the full interview and so would not comment.

“I am not in a position to comment. I would have to see the context of it before I can say anything.

“He is answering a question, and what I saw was that he was right in the middle of it. So I need more to be able to make a comment,” he said.

“It needs more. Was something done or said to him? Then he responded. So it needs more.”

Vice-president of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) Michael Frater also had no comment on the video.

Blake received widespread support on social media though there were those who argued that he is over the hill and should acknowledge that it is time to call it a day.

“Most people only respect and appreciate you when you winning. As soon as you stop you can dead fi dem,” one person commented.

“Usain said it, Asafa said it, Elaine said it, and now Yohan is saying it,” read another comment.

One detractor was particularly harsh, saying: “U have come last place in the last 10 international races you ran. Did you appreciate Glen Mills enough? Did you show him enough respect for putting you on the map? Bro shut up and retire.”

“Blake you need to wake up. Every Jamaican respect you for what you have done for Jamaica but it appears you are not respecting yourself and accepting your abilities at this point. Casting a shadow over your legacy,” was another comment.

One post offered that Blake’s comments were an unfair broad brush.

“He is using a handful of negative comments he received to fry all Jamaicans, which is not fair.”

Another suggested that Blake’s attitude to his former coaches was the reason Jamaicans had lost respect for him.

“If you had given the respect to both Danny Hawthorne and Glen Mills maybe you would be getting the respect you feel you deserve.”

Another commenter did not speak to the video but gave advice.

“I think it’s time you hang it up. You are a legend of the sport.”

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com