Olympic champion sprinter Yohan Blake, affectionately dubbed 'The Beast,' is set to compete in his fourth Olympic Games at Paris 2024. As he prepares for what he has announced will be his final Olympics, Blake reflects on the unwavering support that has fueled his illustrious career.
In an insightful interview with CGTN Sports Scene’s Zhu Mandan, the 34-year-old sprinter shared, \"Well, many times I look at it as close to 20 some years in training. What kept me going is my family. I don't just run from me.\"
Blake’s Olympic journey began in London 2012, where he soared as a serious contender alongside his compatriot Usain Bolt in the men’s 100-meter and 200-meter events, ultimately securing silver medals in both.
Discussing his training ethic, Blake stated, \"Easily, easily. I could say that. Yes. Very easy,\" when asked if he trained harder than Bolt. He reminisced about their challenging yet fun rivalry, admitting he misses pushing each other to excel.
Beyond his rivalry with Bolt, Blake has maintained a long-standing friendship with Chinese sprinter Su Bingtian. \"I've known Su from my first Olympics in London,\" Blake remarked. \"Me and Su were in the same race. Me and Su have been running from when we were little. And I look up to Su as a really great athlete and I just want to say, keep working hard Su. I believe in you. I know you have done so many things for China.\"
As Blake sets his sights on Paris 2024, he expresses his aspirations, \"There's no goal but a dream, which is to finish on top.\"
Reference(s):
Family keeps 'The Beast' going, says Olympic champion sprinter Blake
cgtn.com
