Veteran sprinter Yohan Blake opened up on his frustrations and disappointment with Jamaicans, who have neglected and disrespected him through the years just because he's no longer winning.
Legendary Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake is unhappy with the treatment and disrespect he has received from his country people through the years and has taken time out to be vocal about the situation.
Blake is the second fastest man in history behind the iconic Usain Bolt. However, since the London 2012 Olympics, his career has taken a nosedive due to prolonged injuries and individual challenges.
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In an exclusive interview with @LillzTIL after the London Diamond League where he finished eighth in 10.23s, the 2011 world 100m champion opened up on his disappointment in failing to achieve his Olympic goals and struggling to hit top form this season.
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16:06 - 20.07.2024
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“This brings back memories, you know I'm kinda injury-free today, back with the memories that I cast here in 2012. My head is all over the place right now because what I wanted to do at the Jamaican trials, I didn't get to do, I did want to run my final Olympics but I didn't get to, but um the journey continues the same way,” he said.
Despite being a two-time Olympic gold medallist and world champion, Blake said he is disrespected by his country people but he's grateful to get the love elsewhere.
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“My own country Jamaica doesn't give me the respect but I'm happy they don't because other people outside do and they appreciate me more than my own country.
“I'm happy that I'm able to be crowned elsewhere apart from Jamaica so I will continue to do what I'm doing until I'm happy to step away when it's time.”
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07:36 - 20.07.2024
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Blake became a global sensation and was tipped as the one to break Usain Bolt's legendary records, having clocked 9.69s and 19.26s in the sprint events respectively.
He was seemingly poised to challenge Bolt’s world records of 9.58s and 19.19s when a series of injuries slowed down his ambitions. The worst of those injuries occurred on a cold evening at the Glasgow Grand Prix in July 2014.
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21:05 - 23.10.2023
'I'm still running with aluminum in my leg, I'm trying' - Yohan Blake opens up on injury struggles
2011 World champion Yohan Blake gave insights on his injury problems through the years and his goals for the incoming Olympic year.
“Jamaica loves winners and once you're not winning, they're not supporting you. I don't need their support, I have my own support staff and I'm my own motivator,” added the 34-year-old.
“This season has been rough, I have been battling a lot of injuries, I'm just fighting because I know how to get up. My back has been bothering me, I can't get up and sprint. I also have muscle and some old injuries. I have also been battling with my hamstring.
“People look at the outside but don't know what is going on inside but I have to let them talk. I have been knocked down so many times and I know how it feels to stand up,” he concluded.
Having missed the Jamaican Olympic team to Paris, Blake is hopeful to keep running and competing at European meets, but surely it's only a matter of time before track and field bids farewell to one of the most loyal and talented sprinters in history.
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