Family keeps 'The Beast' going, says Olympic champion sprinter Yohan Blake

Yohan Blake of Jamaica will participate in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games after winning two 4x100-meter men's relay gold medals. In an interview with CGTN Sports Scene's Zhu Mandan, he said that family keeps him going as one of the best sprinters in the world.

"Well, many times I look at it as close to 20 something years in training. What kept me going is my family. I don't just run from me," Blake said.

Nicknamed 'The Beast', 34-year-old Blake will race at his fourth edition of the Games in Paris. He said it will be his final Olympics.

"Olympics come every four years. And you know, you want to start your family and you want to live a life as well, apart from track. I don't want to be there running that long," Blake said. "So this is my last one."

In his first Olympic Games in London in 2012, Blake emerged as a serious challenger for his compatriot Usain Bolt in the men's 100-meter and 200-meter events. In the end, Blake got the silver medal in both. Bolt spoke highly of Blake, especially about his hard work in training.

"Easily, easily. I could say that. Yes. Very easy," Blake said when asked if he thinks he trained harder than Bolt. He also misses the rivalry with Bolt, who has retired.

"It's fun at the same time. But it's tough at the same time because, you know, we are pushing each other," Blake told Zhu. "You don't want to lose. You don't want to lose. I do miss it. It was fun."

Chinese sprinter Su Bingtian finished the men's 100-meter semifinals in 9.83 seconds at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, setting his personal best and becoming the first Chinese sprinter to qualify for the final of the event. Su and Blake have known each other for a long time since they competed with each other in London in 2012.

"I've known Su from my first Olympics in London," Blake said. "Me and Su were in the same race. Me and Su have been running from when we were little. And I look up to Su as a really great athlete and I just want to say, keep working hard Su. I believe in you. I know you have done so many things for China."

When asked about his goal for Paris 2024, Blake said there's no goal but a dream, which is to finish on top.