Blake creates double trouble for Bolt

Yohan Blake beats Usain Bolt again to secure Jamaican sprint double. (Credit: iaaf.org)

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Monday, July 2, 2012 – Yohan Blake sent the crowd in the Jamaica National Stadium wild yesterday (July 1) when he pulled off his second win over fellow Jamaican sprint champion Usain Bolt during three-day national trials.

Blake had already signalled to the world that a Bolt sweep at the 2012 London Olympics was not a foregone conclusion when he powered home in the 100 metres on Friday evening to a 9.75 second win, 0.11 seconds faster than his training partner, who has grown to be known since the 2008 Beijing Olympics as the ‘fastest man in the world’.

Two days later, on the closing day of the Olympic qualifying trials, Blake set himself up as the man to beat in London with an emphatic 200 meters victory over world record holder Bolt.

The compact sprinter known by his home fans as ‘The Beast’ clocked a winning time of 19.80 seconds in the packed stadium, which let out a massive roar as he crossed the finish line ahead of Bolt, who still secured his Olympic spot by coming in at 19.83 seconds.

The triple Olympic gold medallist was gracious in his defeat, grinning as he hugged Blake in the finish area.

"He (Bolt) said, 'Congratulations good run, you won,'" Blake told reporters. "'You're the better man on the day,' and I just gave him thanks because he has always motivated.

"He told me coming into the race to keep calm and that's what I did.

However, there were signs during his home performance that Bolt was not in tip-top condition. Bolt initially ended the race lying flat on his back on the track grimacing in pain as medical staff rushed to his side to work on a cramped right thigh, before he bounced back up to congratulate Blake.

According to Reuters, his coach Glen Mills confirmed earlier in the week that Bolt was not 100 percent fit and it became obvious throughout the trials that he needs to spend time on his starts after struggling out of the blocks.

"I'm a little bit weak but I have a few more weeks to get myself back into shape," assured Bolt. "I'm not far off, I know I can get it done, I'm not worried.

"Everyone is talking about Yohan Blake and he is proving himself as one of the greatest, but for me it is just going back to training and work on what I need to work on and get it done.

"I can never be discouraged. I'm never worried until my coach gets worried and my coach is not worried."

Following his second defeat to Blake, Bolt conceded that there was room for improvement.

"Definitely (I have something to prove)," said Bolt. "I'm the Olympic champion so I have to show the world I am still the best.

"It's not like I was blown away, I know what I need to do to get it right. I just have to get my stuff together.

"It's all about putting in the work. I need to figure out what I did wrong and just work on that," Bolt was quoted by Reuters as saying.

Warren Weir earned the third spot on the Jamaican 200 metre team, taking third in 20.03 seconds. Click here to receive free news bulletins via email from Caribbean360. (View sample)