Olympics bring mixed emotions for Blake

FORMER ST Elizabeth Technical High School quarter-miler, Dennis Blake, made the first of two Olympic Games appearances for his country in 1992 in Barcelona, Spain, and four years later in Atlanta.

The 53-year-old spoke about the highs and lows of those Olympics, coming to the conclusion, he wasn’t sure how to feel about the experiences.

“I was really excited to make my first Olympic team in 1992 in Barcelona as it was always my dream to be an Olympian,” said Blake.

That excitement turned to disappointment for Blake, who was a part of the men’s 4x400-metre relay team.

“My happiness turned to sadness as after the team was disqualified, as a member of the team ran thrice on the line which resulted in the disqualification. This was really devastating,” said Blake.

The disappointment fuelled Blake’s determination to make it to another Olympics. He wanted to make sure he ended up with a medal.

“I was really determined to make the team as I opted out of my final semester in college in the United States to return home to prepare for the trials,” he said.

“I finished sixth at the trials in the 400m and at that time they took the first six and so I made my second Olympic team,” explained Blake.

“We had a very strong 4x400m relay team in Atlanta and we were favoured to beat the United States. Unfortunately, Gregory Haughton fell over on the track after getting the baton doing the famous ‘pupalick’, where he lost a lot of ground, but he was able to bring the team into third position and a bronze medal.”

According to Blake, who now resides in Virginia, United States, he achieved three of his objectives as an athlete.

“I had three objectives growing up. I wanted to be on television, to compete at the Olympics Games, and get a medal there and I achieved all these.”