Yohan Blake lost to fellow Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt at the 100-meter, but he's determined to win his first gold medal at the 200-meter final on Thursday.
At just 22-years-old, Blake entered the 2012 London Summer Olympics as the 100-meter world champion. The same world champion tournament where Bolt was disqualified for a false start, a move he's watching not to repeat again in London.
Blake did defeat Bolt, fair and square this time, at the Jamaican Olympic trials in both the 100-meter and 200-meter races. Bolt was took Blake's win as a "wake-up call."
Bolt said, "He knocked on my door and said: 'Usain, this is an Olympic year. Wake up.' So I'm grateful for that."
Bolt was surely awake as he won the 100-meter final at the 2012 Olympics, a race many, including veterans of track and field, predicted Blake will win. Bolt's race in the 100-meter broke the Olympic record, while Blake had to settle for a silver medal.
Blake is still determined for gold. Both Jamaican sprinters are running in the 200-meter semifinal on Wednesday for the opportunity to race again on Thursday for the gold.
When it comes to the 200-meter event, Bolt said to reporters, "I'm not going to let [Blake] beat me again."
A victory for Blake in the 200-meter race will demolish Bolt's dream of being the first man to successfully defend his 200-meter gold medal at the Olympics and his "legend" status.
Although the fans of the sport see the upcoming race as Blake vs. Bolt, Blake said he's not focus on beating him.
"I'm concentrating on running my race. My plan is just to execute. I'm going great and I've already got a silver medal," said Blake, according to the London Evening Standard. "For me, I always try to make it to the final. As you can see, it's not going to be easy. I always felt like the 200m is going to be a lot more competitive than the 100 and it shows that there is a lot of talent out there. So, I will see how it goes."
During the first round of the 200-meter, Blake's time was the fastest for his heat with 19.26 seconds, but Bolt's time was the overall fastest with 19.19 seconds.
Both men are expected to race in the 200-meter final on Thurs., Aug. 9 at 3:55 p.m. EDT. Both men are also expected to team up for the men's 4x100-meter relay starting Saturday.
Yohan Blake's Olympic Schedule:
200-Meter
Men's 200-meter Semifinals: August 8, 3:10 p.m. EDT
Men's 200-meter Final: August 9, 3:55 p.m. EDT
4x100-Meter Relay
Men's 4x100-meter Relay Round 1: - August 10, 2:45 p.m. EDT
Men's 4x100-meter Relay Final: - August 11, 4 p.m. EDT
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