by Larry Eder
Yohan Blake, November 2011, photo by PhotoRun.net
The adidas Media Lounge was quite full at ten in the morning, on August 1, as 150 plus media outlets photographed Yohan Blake, his new adizero Prime SP, which was quite popular, as his pair had the Beast written on the tongue of the shoe.
Yohan Blake is coming into the London Games, after his two defeats of Usain Bolt in the Jamaican Trials in the 100 meters and 200 meters, as the prohibitive favorite. We are taking him seriously.
The 100 meter final, will be one of the most hyped races in recent history. My guess, it will live up to or surpass the hype. This race, as Tyson Gay noted, could take 9.7 just to finish in the top three.
I do not believe that a world record will be set, but I do believe, that we have three men who can break 9.7, perhaps four. This race will come down to who makes the least mistakes, and who, by the middle phase of the race, has complete control of his domain.
Could that be, Yohan Blake?
We will have to wait. I do think, that Yohan Blake would make a tremendous poker player. With Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Justin Gatlin, Yohan Blake, Tyson Gay, and my guess, Ryan Bailey and Dwain Chambers, this race will be a barn burner.
“This is my first time in the Olympics. It is going to be crazy. There will
be Tyson Gay, Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell.”
Yohan Blake is a key player in the 100 meters at this, the London
Olympics. In discussing the 100 meters over the past few days,
many of us in the media have come to the consensus that the
London 100 meters may be, as one keen observer noted, ” this
race may actually live up to it’s hype. “
Consider Yohan Blake.
Last year, Yohan Blake did not freak out when Usain Bolt was
disqualified in the final of the 100 meters. Blake stayed in
control in Daegu, and had the presence of mind to catch Kim
Collins, who nearly stole the 100 meters, eight years after Kim
Collins had first become a world champion. Blake caught Collins
with thirty meters to go and blazed by, to take his first World
Championship.
Later that summer, Yohan Blake ran 19.23 for 200 meters in Brussels,
making him the second best performer of all times. That did catch Usain
Bolt’s attention.
“The 100 meters will live up to its hype, ” noted Yohan Blake. ” You
have Tyson Gay, Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell and myself.”
Most of the interview was filled with questions on rivalries and pressure.
Blake put that to rest, ” I feel no pressure.I trained hard.”
This year, Yohan Blake won the 100m at the Jamaican Olympic Trials, running 9.75, a
personal best, and finishing ahead of one Usain Bolt, who ran 9.86 and Asafa Powell, who
ran 9.88. In the 200 meters, Yohan Blake ran 19.80, winning the 200m over Bolt as well,
ran 19.85.
“Everyone talks about experience. Experience, experience. I just hope that I am
ready on the right day.”
In high school, Yohan Blake wrote next to his name, Yohan Blake, 9.88. “That was
my dream and it became true.”
“For me, when you have Usain, Tyson and myself, and Asafa, it will be really fast. We
are not looking at times, though.”
“Times have changed for us, for me, I keep it simple, I want a good execution of my race.”
When asked about his world leading time, and racing against Usain Bolt, and what type of
that Yohan Blake was feeling, Blake noted, ” I feel no pressure.”
When one looks at Yohan Blake, one sees a confident athlete. Blake is confident because
of good racing, good training and good coaching. He looks fit, and he looks ready to
race.
Not bad for a young man, who, four years ago, was watching Usain Bolt win his 100 meters
in Beijing in a world record.
Yohan Blake will play a large part in the exciting 100 meters that will happen shortly.
How big of a role, victor, or medal winner, we will just have to wait and see.
