Blake misses record but eyes Glasgow ‘double’
YOHAN BLAKE has revealed he could attempt a 100 and 200 metres double at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The Jamaican sprinter failed in his bid to break training partner Usain Bolt’s 150m world best at the BT Great City Games in Manchester yesterday, but Deansgate’s shops and bars were still a blur as he raced down the temporary track to win in 14.71 seconds.
His time was the third fastest ever over the distance on a straight, some way behind Bolt’s 14.35secs from 2009 and also adrift of American Walter Dix’s 14.65secs.
The 24-year-old blamed the lack of a proper warm-up area for not going quicker before handing Commonwealth Games organisers a huge boost by saying he would ‘probably’ double up in Glasgow.
‘I haven’t chosen (my events) yet,’ Blake said.
‘I’ll talk to my coach and manager when I get back, but I will probably double up. I’ve got world and Olympic medals. It would be good to have Commonwealth medals too.’
Meanwhile, Eilidh Child has admitted she faces a scrap to be the UK’s hurdles top dog in Glasgow after watching English rival Meghan Beesley storm to victory in a world-best time in Manchester.
The Scot, 26, trailed home second in the 200m street event as Beesley surged clear to win in 25.05 seconds.
But Child, who set a new best of 25.84secs, insists she’s glad to have someone to keep her on her toes.
She said: ‘I know she’s quick. Her speed is her strength and it’s good to be racing Meghan week in and week out, it’s going to help me.’