Yohan Blake and Usain Bolt, two of Jamaica’s biggest track stars, used to train under the same instructor. The two were also a part of the renowned reggae country squad that won gold in the 4x100m relay at the London 2012 Olympics.

A world record of 36.85 seconds was set by Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake, Michael Frater, and Nesta Carter. When Yohan Blake passed the baton to Usain Bolt, who anchored Jamaica home in record time—a record that still stands today—the gold medal was never in question.

But in a sport as competitive as athletics, rivalry, jealousy, and envy are unavoidable, just as they are in all men. Johan Blake and Usain Bolt have experienced a lot of these incidents.

This piece provides context for an issue that has divided fans over the years by breaking down all the details and distinguishing fact from rumor.

Unquestionably the fastest man alive, Bolt turned 38 years old yesterday, August 22, 2024, and set a record-breaking 9.58 seconds for the 100-meter dash. Yohan Blake, a fellow Jamaican, came closest to that mark in 2012 with a time of 9.69 seconds. In September 2009, Tyson Gay of the USA ran a time of 9.69 seconds in Shanghai, China.

Blake was always under the greater spotlight than the more well-known Bolt, despite his remarkable powers, therefore, problems were bound to arise eventually.

In a 2019 exclusive interview with Outlook, the second fastest man in history discussed his competition with his training partner and fellow countryman, Usain Bolt, and how having the same coach cast him in Bolt’s shadow.

I blame Usain Bolt for overshadowing my coach, Yohan Blake.
At the 2012 London Olympics, Yohan Blake and Usain Bolt. Photo credit: Imago

Yohan Blake held coach Glen Mills accountable for preventing him from competing against Usain Bolt, despite their extensive training sessions together.

The 34-year-old said that his elder friend was always trying to win and that he didn’t think anyone could stop him. Blake, though, believes that he might have been the one to “break” Bolt.

“The coach didn’t make us race, so we trained a lot instead of racing. Bolt was not like the others. He was so good that even when we were taking two strides, he was only taking one. Bolt believed that nothing could ever break him and that he was born to win. Blake remarked, “I knew I could have broken him, but a lot of training kinks happened, it’s a lengthy tale.

When asked to elaborate on the specifics of the “long story,” Yohan Blake accusingly gestured toward his coach. He declared:

“I regret not competing against him as much as I would have liked, but my ex-coach is to blame, not me. However, that is the past, and I am focused on the future. It is not simple to step out of the shadow of that person, Bolt, when he is controlling you. My identity was formed when I won the global championship in Daegu, Korea, in 2011, recorded a time of 19.26 in Brussels, and ran a time of 9.69 in Lausanne in 2012.

Blake was also asked if he believed Usain Bolt retired early, at the age of 31, after quitting athletics. “Don’t think so,” was his response to this. Bolt claimed to have accomplished every goal imaginable and to have finished first in his final event, a relay in the 2017 World Championship held in London. In sports, one must train constantly for years to stay competitive.

Regarding Yohan Blake, what is Usain Bolt’s opinion?
Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake compete fiercely in the 100-meter final at London 2012 | Photo credit: Imago

Remarkably, Yohan Black isn’t considered much of a rival by Usain Bolt. Bolt disclosed in a recent interview with John Obi Mikel that Justin Gatlin is the one who has kept him the most alert.

“I think Justin Gatlin, I have to give my hats off to him,” Bolt stated. “It was just me and him every season for the final five or six years of my career. I enjoyed the competition, and he had me on my toes the entire time.”

According to Reuters, Bolt criticized young Jamaican athletes in 2019 for not putting in enough effort, citing Yohan Blake, among others.

“I think these kids are a little bit spoiled, so I don’t think it will get any better.”

“Now that I’ve left the sport, I feel like the level has dropped, but when I was around, I think the motivation was there and we worked hard.”

According to NBC Sports, Bolt also brought up Blake and other Jamaican athletes’ choice to break away from renowned track coach Glen Mills.

“Mills helped you reach your greatest point to date. He’s brought you there, but it’s unlikely they’ll return to that point. How can you be exceptional if you don’t train and work hard?

“I’ve had chats with all of these young athletes, from Bailey-Cole to Blake. Do you understand what I mean? They are unwilling to hear it.

Last Words

A talent for a generation, Usain Bolt. He continues to be the standard for sprinters, and it’s possible that his records won’t be surpassed for many years.

Conversely, Yohan Blake is the second-greatest athlete in Jamaican history. It’s unfortunate that injuries prevented us from witnessing his talent on numerous times, such as the recently ended 2024 Olympic Games in Paris; it appears that the 34-year-old’s career may be coming to an end.

But when Yoahan Blake and Usain Bolt hang up their spikes one day, I do hope that both of their people can set aside their rivalry and celebrate like brothers—the epitome of true sportsmanship.