LONDON, CMC – World champion Yohan Blake has dismissed experience as a key factor in the contest this weekend that will determine the fastest man on the planet.
The 22-year-old is one of the favourites to win the Olympic 100 metres but will enter the competition with the odds stacked against him. While he is the fastest man this year, the Jamaican is expected to face at least three others who over the years have run faster times.
Added to that, Blake is less experienced than his main rivals, something he does not feel will be that crucial on the big day.
“One thing I really hate is about (the term) experience,” said Blake, who left tongues wagging in June when he twice beat reigning Olympic champion Usain Bolt at the Jamaica Trials.
“Experience for me, it doesn’t work. Everybody talking about experience this, experience that, for me it’s all about going out there keep focused and get the job done.  It’s not about beating Usain. On the day, everybody wants the gold and to get the gold you have to win, so I am just focused on getting the job done.”
Blake has run a season-best 9.75 seconds, when he beat Bolt in the 100m final in Kingston.
However, Bolt is the world record holder with 9.58 seconds, American Tyson Gay is next best with 9.69 and Jamaican Asafa Powell, who held the world record for three years, is third on the list at 9.72.
Despite the hype surrounding the Olympic showdown, Blake said he was hardly thinking about the event.
“I don’t really think about it. I spent my time watching cricket and I also watch the gymnastics and swimming but I try not to think about the Olympics, I just have fun, but when I am on the track I am in the Beast mood,” said the athlete who is nicknamed “the Beast”.
Last year, Blake rose to stardom when he took gold at the World Championships in Daegu, but became a serious contender for the double in London since his 100-200m victory over Bolt at the Jamaica Championships.
While those victories put a different spin to the men’s 100m race, Blake pushed backed on suggestions that he would be under pressure when the track segment opened.
“There is no pressure as I said coach (Glen) Mills has been working with me over the years and it really paid off,” he said.