Fri | Mar 29, 2024

'I rather miss the Olympics than take the vaccine' – Blake

Published:Saturday | February 27, 2021 | 5:33 PM

Jamaican sprinting star Yohan Blake says he would rather miss this Summer's Olympic Games, which is likely to be his last, than take any COVID-19 vaccines.

 

Blake was speaking shortly after competing at the JAAA Qualification Meet at the National Stadium on Saturday, where he placed third in his 200m heat.

 

His latest comments follow similar sentiments during a virtual RJRGLEANER Sports Town Hall earlier this month.

 

"My mind still stays strong, I don't want any vaccine, I rather to miss the Olympics than take the vaccine, I am not taking it," said Blake, who recently launched a sports rehabilitation facility.

 

"I don't really want to get into it now, but I have my reasons," added Blake, who remains the second fastest man in history in the 100m and 200m with times of 9.69 seconds and 19.26 seconds respectively.

 

Blake, a 2011 world champion in the 100m and double sprint silver medal winner from the 2012 London Olympic Games, added that he is hoping to compete internationally in May.

 

"I'm looking forward to going international in May," Blake said.

 

The Jamaican Government recently announced that the country will receive the first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines next week.

 

Saturday's meet was one of eight that took place across the island, marking a large scale return of athletics, for the first time since the outbreak of the virus in Jamaica.