Another 9.82 for Yohan Blake, this time in Berlin (© Gladys Chai van der Laage)
Jamaica’s Yohan Blake, who won the 100m title at last summer’s IAAF World Championships in Daegu, took time off his busy schedule to answer a handful of fans’ questions received via the IAAF World Athletics Club facebook page...
From Joshua Beagley: What is your favorite past time snack?
Yohan: That has got to be a Honey Bun cinnamon roll heated up in the microwave. It is made by a Jamaican company and for me it is just the best.
From Jordan Thurston: How have you found it adapting to the attention from the media and fans after being 100m world champion?
Yohan: This is a very good question. I suppose it is not as easy to do as people think. But I am always amazed when famous people complain about the attention they get. I am very committed to my fans. I love my fans and I love what I am doing. The travel, the competition, the expectations, the supporters who love our sport and the media. I have no complaints, although I know and I hope people understand, that I can’t always be available because of a heavy training schedule. But is all a part of why I do what I do.
From Jason Champ: what kind of music do you listen to to get amped up for a big race?
Yohan: It is amazing how important this is to me. Before the race I have on my Beats headphones and I listen to some reggae and Jamaican dance hall and always a bit of Michael Jackson.
From Charles Nguyen: Why such long nails?
Yohan: LOL. People always wonder about this. My manager and coach probably give me the hardest time about it. But it is just superstition. I won’t cut my hair or my nails before any competition. And my nails for some reason grow VERY fast. In just one week they need to be cut. In two weeks they look like a beast! I can’t even remember why or when I started doing this but I don’t think I can change now. There are many things we athletes do to manage the pressures and intensity of competition. Some of them just don’t make any sense but we have to do whatever makes us feel comfortable or we won’t be able to perform to our fullest potential. Soon after a race, whenever I can get my hands on a nail clipper, I look pretty normal again.
From Ann Turner: How do u keep focused even on those days when u just don't want to get out of bed?
Yohan: It is very hard sometimes and we are all human. But I suppose it is the amazing performances of my training partner Usain that really keeps me focused. He really motivates me. 9.58 and 19.19 really gets your attention. Trust me.
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