Share

No more Bolt-Blake duels

Lausanne - Six-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt of Jamaica and his young compatriot Yohan Blake will not race each other again this season, Blake's manager, Cubee Seegobin, indicated on Wednesday.

Bolt, who defended his 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay titles in London, is due to contest the 200m in Thursday's Diamond League meeting in Lausanne, while Blake, who won silver in both individual sprints, will run in the 100m.

The training partners -- gold medallists in Jamaica's world record-breaking 4x100m relay squad -- will race over those same distances in the next meeting in Zurich on August 30, before swapping for the Brussels event on September 7.

Asked about the possibilities for a rematch between the pair and his desire to test himself against his elder rival, Blake said: "Yes, I always love running against him. But ask my manager, who really knows the business."

Seegobin said: "Coach (Glenn) Mills gives Yohan a programme and it's tailored according to people's wishes. It's something for the managers, the meeting director and sponsors.

"And I don't think of it in terms of confrontation but in terms of what the organiser offers."

Even if Zurich attempted a rematch, Seegobin said he did not see much point after the Olympics, which was the high point of the season, while the two sprinters had already faced off in the Jamaica national trials in June.

Then, Blake, 22, won over 100m and 200m.

Seegobin also said that the effects of Blake's warm-down after London should not be under-estimated.

As such, a race between the pair looks more likely next season.

"My objectives at the end of this season are to continue to run well, improve technically, and not get injured," said Blake.

"In 2013, I will have titles to defend (including the 100m) at the World Championships (in Moscow)."

In the meantime, there has been talk of both men playing cricket in Australia's Twenty20 Big Bash League after Bolt expressed an interest in turning out for Melbourne Stars and the Sydney Sixers said they hoped to lure Blake.

Both men are cricket fanatics and Bolt played junior cricket before turning to the track, while Blake describes himself as a "bowling machine" in the finest tradition of West Indian fast bowlers.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2251 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE