Yohan Blake
Ato Boldon talks to Jamaica's 2011 100m world champion Yohan Blake for the latest episode of IAAF Inside Athletics.
The sprint circuit has been lacking one of its leading lights over the last few seasons. Yohan Blake, the second fastest man in history over both 100m and 200m, was hampered by hamstring injuries for the bulk of 2013 and 2014.
But now the 2011 100m world champion is returning to full training, and is making it his aim to “rewrite history again”.
“I love the sport. You really feel the weight when you’re watching from the stands when you know you can be out there winning a medal,” he tells Ato Boldon.
“2015 has started pretty well for me. Training is going well. I’m not giving all [I have] in training, just [keeping it] basic right now. But as the season progresses I think I will progress as well.”
Though the 25-year-old did make a string of appearances in 2014 – including a record-breaking performance at last year's World Relays – Blake struggled to hit top form and his season ended early after he pulled his hamstring running in the Glasgow Diamond League.
Now the Jamaican, who was unable to defend his world championship title in 2013 because of injury, has targeted this year’s event in Beijing as an opportunity to build towards the ultimate goal of the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
“I’m focusing on getting through the season injury free, and also winning a medal at the world championship, and then move the focus to Rio,” the Olympic 4x100m champion says.
Though he is planning for the long-term, it is clear that his ruthless competitive side is itching to get out, and that could lead to fireworks on the track sooner than Blake is prepared to admit.
“I love competition,” he adds. “I love fast running. It doesn’t matter to me. It doesn’t faze me. When I go on the track it [my attitude] is 'let’s go!'.”
Blake also talks about training under Glen Mills alongside the likes of Usain Bolt and Warren Weir, how he avoids the limelight when he is home, and the “ridiculous” talent coming through the ranks of Jamaica’s fabled youth system.
Watch the full 10-minute interview below.