Fans in Europe should not hold their breath to see Jamaica’s newest and youngest big-league sprinting sensation Yohan Blake race on their continent anytime soon.
“He won’t be running any races in Europe before the Jamaica National Trials; that’s for sure,” said his agent Cubie Seegobin. The trials are set for June 24 to 26 in Kingston, one month before the much anticipated London Olympics, July 27 to August 8.
The 22-year-old 2011 World 100m champion recently returned home from Europe, where he engaged in promotional duties for Adidas, his sponsor, and will begin his 2012 season at local meets in Jamaica, such as the annual February Camperdown Classic and Gibson Relays.
Seegobin also confirmed that Blake will be running at the Jamaica International Invitational World Challenge in May and that he is also looking at the Diamond League New York Adidas Grand Prix in June.
Blake’s 19.26 200m clocking last season remains the buzz, fueling much debate among track enthusiasts and pundits in the media and elsewhere over whether the new threat to 25-year-old Usain Bolt, his friend and training partner, will defeat Bolt in London. At this point, a clash between the two before the trials is unlikely.
In the meantime, Blake is making the necessary preparations for the season, adjusting to his new star status with all eyes on him, and enjoying life the way many 22-year-olds do.