(July 7) — Yohan Blake, despite being disqualified for a false start, was given an opportunity to compete in a separate race in the men’s 100m dash at the Jamaica Track and Field Championships 2023 on Thursday night. Many people thought that it was wrong to offer him a lifeline.
Blake, who holds the eighth-fastest time among Jamaicans this season at 10.05 seconds, clearly false-started in the third heat of the men’s 100m. He attempted to run under protest, which is typically not allowed at championship meetings.
After a prolonged delay, which many deemed unfair to the other athletes, the seasoned sprinter and joint second-fastest time in the history of the 100m, ultimately left the track disappointed, despite his numerous pleas.
Read More: Yohan Blake false-starts; 3 surprised sub-10s at Jamaica Trials on Day 1
However, the officials offered the 2011 world champion a second chance to compete in a separate race by himself. He was informed that in order to advance to the next round, he needed to run a time of 10.20 seconds.
This requirement was based on Odaine McPherson’s fifth-place time of 10.21 seconds in the same assigned heat earlier in the night.
Unfortunately, Blake’s time of 10.31 seconds ranked him 21st overall, falling well outside the top 16 positions eligible for a semifinal spot.
Reports indicate that Yohan Blake was dissatisfied with his time, suggesting that he believed the officials deliberately provided him with a slower time to hinder his progression to the semifinals.
Consequently, he will now shift his focus to securing a spot on the team for the 200m event at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, in August.
The Jamaica Track and Field Championships 2023 will continue on Friday with day two coverage at the National Stadium in Kingston.
Don’t forget the check out the full results and information here.
