Usain Bolt’s advice for Yohan Blake ahead of Commonwealth Games

JAMAICA’S former world champion Yohan Blake is the biggest star yet to arrive for the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast – and he says the only man in the world to run a faster 100m had some choice words of advice before he left home.

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WITH a lighthearted warning from Usain Bolt in his ears, Jamaica’s former world 100m champion Yohan Blake has become the biggest name yet to arrive at the Gold Coast for the Commonwealth Games.

Typically fast out of the blocks, Blake’s arrival in Queensland came within 24 hours of the withdrawal of Canadas’s Olympic 200m silver medallist Andre De Grasse to prioritise an upcoming indoor race campaign.

Yohan Blake (left) and Usain Bolt celebrate after the Men’s 200m final at the Rio Olympics. Picture: AP

Blake, the world 100m champion of 2011, ran a 9.69 sec 100m in 2012 which has been bettered only by Bolt, his retired countryman, and his world record 9.58.

“We are ready to go – my body is great and I’ve run the (second) fastest time so far this year,’’ Blake said on arrival in Brisbane this morning from a flight from Los Angeles.

“Usain Bolt was at the track in Jamaica before I left. He said, ‘When I come to Australia, if you don’t win there is going to be problems’.

Yohan Blake speaks to the media after arriving at Brisbane International Airport for the Commonwealth Games Picture: Mark Cranitch

“I don’t have a Commonwealth medal. It’s very important for me to have one in my trophy case.’’

The 28-year-old took two silver medals behind Bolt in the 100m and 200m at the 2012 London Olympics and joined him in Jamaican gold-medal 4x100m relay teams at the

2012 and 2016 Olympic Games.

“That’s what I want, to start with the Commonwealths, to take over the dominance of the sprinting world,’’ Blake said.

“Usain Bolt has left his legacy for us to carry on and that’s what we want to do.’’

Blake said he would undertake a leisurely run at Runaway Bay, where the Jamaicans will be based before moving into the Games athletes village, later today before resuming training tomorrow.

He will contest a 100m at a warm-up meet in Brisbane on March 28 before his 100m and 4x100m relay appearances at the Gold Coast Games next month.

Christian Coleman. Picture: AP

Justin Gatlin. Picture: AFP

Blake was ranked second on 100m times last year, with his 9.90 season-best bettered only American Christian Coleman (9.82), and he placed fourth behind Justin Gatlin in the 100m world titles final.

“I think I could have done better,’’ he said.

“It will be a better year this one and I want the Commonwealth Games to set the year up for me. Australia is where it all begins.

“I was looking for some action in the 200m as well, so it (De Grasse’s Games withdrawal) is bitter sweet, but I think it will still be great.’’

Originally published as Usain Bolt’s advice for Yohan Blake ahead of Commonwealth Games