Yohan Blake Says “Jamaica doesn’t give me the respect… i don’t need their support”

34-year-old Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake who is the joint second-fastest man in history in the 100m and the second fastest in the 200m feels that he does not get the “respect” he deserves from his own country. His feelings were expressed in an interview released on Sunday.

In the interview done after his most recent race, Blake spoke his mind as a result of the harsh criticisms he has been getting online from many Jamaicans. Notably, a lot of people are urging him to quit to save his legacy, while others are saying that he’s just running for the money he can gain.

Blake revealed that his head is all over the place because of injuries and being unable to perform as well as he believes he can. He detailed his back and other places being a problem over the years, however, he felt good that he did not pick up any new injury in his most recent race.

He stated, “What i wanted to do at Jamaica Trials i didn’t get to do… but the journey continues same way… my own country Jamaica doesn’t give me the respect and I’m happy they don’t because other people outside do and they appreciate me more than my own country.”

He continued by stating that he’s “crowned elsewhere apart from Jamaica” because Jamaicans only support winners, “Jamaica love winners and once you not winning they not supporting you, but i don’t need their support.”

Blake outlines that despite the naysayers, he’ll keep on working because he still has ‘thread on the wheel’. “I’m still spinning.. i know what is causing my problem and i’m not afraid,” he stated before highlighting that there is a possibility that he will have a better season next season.

Watch the interview below:

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