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Yohan Blake drops out in blow to Commonwealth Games’ credibility Yohan Blake drops out in blow to Commonwealth Games’ credibility
(about 3 hours later)
Yohan Blake has apologised to the Scottish public for snubbing this month’s Commonwealth Games, saying he has had to put the 2016 Olympics at the top of his ambitions. Yohan Blake has apologised to the Scottish public for snubbing this month’s Commonwealth Games, saying he has had to put the 2016 Olympics at the top of his ambitions. The sprinter known as “The Beast” is in Glasgow for this weekend’s Diamond League meeting at Hampden Park and will compete in the men’s 100m contest on Friday night.
The sprinter known as “The Beast” is in Glasgow for this weekend’s Diamond League meeting at Hampden and will compete in the men’s 100m contest on Friday night.
Having only just returned from a succession of hamstring injuries, the double Olympic silver medallist says he is not prepared to jeopardise his preparations for the Rio Games in 2016.Having only just returned from a succession of hamstring injuries, the double Olympic silver medallist says he is not prepared to jeopardise his preparations for the Rio Games in 2016.
“Of course I’m disappointed to be missing out on Glasgow 2014 but it’s in my best interests,” the Jamaican said. “I’m trying to be positive and there will be many more Commonwealth Games to look forward to. “Of course, I’m disappointed to be missing out on Glasgow 2014 but it’s in my best interests,” the Jamaican said. “I’m trying to be positive and there will be many more Commonwealth Games to look forward to.
“I’m sorry I’m not going to be here, the Scottish people have really been looking out for me. But they understand the level of competitive person I am.“I’m sorry I’m not going to be here, the Scottish people have really been looking out for me. But they understand the level of competitive person I am.
“It was a tough decision to make but when I was talking to my manager and my coach, they both said I had to get back to the level I was at before because there is the World Championships and Olympics coming up in the next couple of years. I have to be at my best for that.”“It was a tough decision to make but when I was talking to my manager and my coach, they both said I had to get back to the level I was at before because there is the World Championships and Olympics coming up in the next couple of years. I have to be at my best for that.”
The absence of Blake, the 2011 world champion, and the decision by his compatriot Usain Bolt to compete only in the 4x100m relay has been seen as a major blow for Glasgow 2014’s credibility as a major championships. The absence of Blake, the 2011 world champion, and the decision by his compatriot Usain Bolt to compete only in the 4x100m relay, has been seen as a major blow for Glasgow 2014’s credibility as a major championships.
The fact that Blake, who would have required a medical exemption to compete at the Commonwealth Games in a fortnight’s time after missing the Jamaican trials, is racing at the money-spinning Diamond League has done little to dispel the notion that he has given the Commonwealths a slap in the face.The fact that Blake, who would have required a medical exemption to compete at the Commonwealth Games in a fortnight’s time after missing the Jamaican trials, is racing at the money-spinning Diamond League has done little to dispel the notion that he has given the Commonwealths a slap in the face.
However, his manager, Cubie Seegobin, insisted the 24-year-old was not fit enough to take on the Glasgow 2014 field. “We made a decision, based on Yohan’s condition, not to compete at the Commonwealth Games and that was in his best interests,” said Seegobin. However, his manager, Cubie Seegobin, insisted that the 24-year-old was not fit enough to take on the Glasgow 2014 field. “We made a decision, based on Yohan’s condition, not to compete at the Commonwealth Games and that was in his best interests,” said Seegobin.
“As you can tell from last week in Lausanne [where Blake could only finish sixth in the 200m], we can’t tell exactly where he is coming off the injury. People forget that Yohan hasn’t competed at this level since 2012 in Brussels and he is trying to find his way back. He’s in great shape now and is not hurt or anything like that. “As you can tell from last week in Lausanne [where Blake could finish only sixth in the 200m], we can’t tell exactly where he is coming off the injury. People forget that Yohan hasn’t competed at this level since 2012 in Brussels and he is trying to find his way back. He’s in great shape now and is not hurt or anything like that.
“But if he had gone to the Jamaican trials and not made the team, you guys would be saying he wasn’t in shape. So it has taken him a little while and it is his decision. It’s nothing against the Commonwealth Games. He has to do what is in his best interests.”“But if he had gone to the Jamaican trials and not made the team, you guys would be saying he wasn’t in shape. So it has taken him a little while and it is his decision. It’s nothing against the Commonwealth Games. He has to do what is in his best interests.”
Glasgow Diamond League, tonight, live on BBC2, 6.30-9pm