Yohan Blake, is a whole entire beast. However, the scary thing is that Yohan may never get the credit that he truly deserves. Simply because many of us are guilty of heaping all of the praise on Usain Bolt. Leaving none left for Yohan Blake.
However, real ones know, this is utter foolishness. Every athlete that puts on the black, yellow and gold, should benefit from the full support of the Jamaican, Caribbean and track fans world wide. Unreservedly and unconditionally.
Yohan Blake Never Cheated The Work & Always Gave His All.
Effort, is a precious resource that fans should never take for granted. Behind the scenes, in the gym, the track, the hills etc, are where athletes put countless hours of dedication, into being competition ready.
Yohan Blake Fans
The amount of work it takes to merely compete at the level that Yohan Blake has. Is precisely why The Beast is badly underrated.
Soccer, Baseball, Basketball, American Football are some of the most popular sports in the world.
Track and Field however, is outside of the world’s top ten sports. What this may basically well mean, is that most of the fanfare around track and field and more specifically Usain Bolt. Are fans of Usain Bolt and his record breaking speed, more than they are fans of track and field.
(Again, most people, for these reasons, are probably underappreciating Yohan Blake and his legacy). Track and Field Sprinters are rated to be in 38th most physically demanding sport, in the world. (Boxing took the top spot).
Eleven Milliseconds
However, Yohan Blake is no regular athlete. He is the 2nd fastest man in history.
He’s beaten Usain Bolt before and 9.58 seconds versus 9.69 seconds is too slim of a gap, for the disrespect or indifference that Yohan gets treated with to be right.
Eleven milliseconds, is the gap between getting King of Track and Field treatment and treated like an also ran. Nobody knows, their future, or whether they will actually get to break a world record.
None of us knows for sure, when we are are about to make history. Everyday above ground is an unpromised gift. This is exactly why we all should count every single blessing we get. Yohan Blake included.
If you doubt that, maybe Usain Bolt himself can convince you. In an interview with the Fix JA, Usain Bolt shared that an issue that is plaguing Track and Field is being able to stay committed to Track and Field, long term.
Too Much Is Taken For Granted
Newfound fame, temptation and being far away from home and their usual support systems. Whilst they’re in the US, under scholarship and exposed to new temptations. Committment to the sport can weaken. With the end result being a waste of their talent and opportunity.
Yohan Blake, never gave Jamaicans those problems. Actually, Yohan Blake was and is an additional blessing for Jamaica, the Caribbean and the world as a whole.
Unfortunately, though, too many of us are guilty of being selective with our gratitude. Again, heaping all on Usain and leaving none for Blake. Also, it’s worth remembering, that had a certain injury never happened. We all might be singing a totally different tune.
However, let’s remember what a pleasure and honor it was to see the Jamaican teams (both men and women) compete and take all of the medals. We’re asking you to recall these memories because it makes it easier for it to be seen that all our athletes, are to be appreciated and celebrated.
Whether they take a medal, or otherwise.
A Thin Line Between Victory & Defeat But The Journey Is The Real Victory.
A last example here is St. Lucia’s Julian Alfred. Since winning Gold at the Olympics in Paris, sis has had her struggles and been beaten by Sha’Carri Richardson. (Although, at the time of writing this article, Julian Alfred does seem to be back in top form).
Thankfully, her Olympic Gold, makes it impossible for folks to deny her legacy. She won gold at the Olympics. However, the point here is that the likes of Usain Bolt and Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce are rare.
Holding everyone to their standards, stops us from being able to fully appreciate the greatness, all around us. Similarly, if Gout Gout, Australia’s rising track and field star one day runs faster than 9.58.
That new reality, takes nothing away from Usain Bolt’s legacy. It would mean we all ought to count ourselves grateful for being alive long enough to witness change.
Eleven Milliseconds should never, ever, come between us appreciating Yohan Blake like we are supposed to. There is only one Usain Bolt. Similarly, there is only one Yohan Blake and Jamaica is the only country in the world blessed with being able to call both of them, sons of the soil.
Yohan Blake Has Had An Epic Journey.
Nevertheless, we are all related and we all get to appreciate them both. However, right now, is Yohan Blake’s time, because Yohan Blake is the one retiring.
Therefore, with every ounce of appreciation and gratitude that we can muster. We thank Yohan Blake for his exemplary contributions, both on the track and off of it.
Moreover, we wish the beast, Yohan Blake, continued success in his new endeavours, post retirement from track.
May he enjoy his new found freedom and keep up the good work, like he has been doing.
Much Island Love to Yohan Blake!!!!
Whilst most of us saw track and field history get created on screen. Yohan Blake was right there, on the track. A part of track and field history.
Which is why we salute Yohan Blake and put plenty of respect on his name!!!!!!!!
