Sebastian Coe destroying athletics: Yohan Blake

MUMBAI: When it comes to words, Yohan Blake is like an NFL running back. He runs straight into issues and smashes them to smithereens.
To say that the IAAF boss Sebastian Coe is destroying athletics is huge and Blake says the two-time 1500m Olympic champion is systematically doing it.
The Diamond Leagues (DL) are prestigious track and field events during the season but over the years the DL have not staged the 5000m and the 10000m. Haile Gebrselassie also had said that removing these two events have led to long distance runners from Africa seeking succour in road events.
For the 2020 DL season, the 200 metres for men and women will not be held in Brussels and Zurich, while the triple jump has been included in Eugene. Blake reckons that is like robbing the athlete of his/her livelihood.
"I believe all the events are very important. This is people's careers, this is where they make their money. For Sebastian Coe to be doing this, taking out events ... all of that is money. That's where we bring the highlights and that's why I broke the 200m DL record. You can't be doing that. We have to take a stand as an athlete and that's what we are doing and that's why I met Christian Taylor (Olympic and World Champion triple jumper). I met him in Monaco the other day and we were discussing this," said Blake during a promotional event in Mumbai.
"If he (Coe) can take away the 200 and triple jump, I don't know if he is trying to build it (track and field) or trying to kill athletics but that's a stupid move. He must enhance the sport, but he is killing it. It is just madness," Blake added.
The 2011 world 100m champion also did not spare the iconic Usain Bolt, saying the eight-time Olympic Champion was hardly training for the 2017 World Championships in London, the last event of his decorated career.
"Bolt was hardly training, he was partying a lot. He just didn't feel the urge as it was his last race. He said to me 'I am just going to have fun', he said he just wanted a medal, everybody goes to win, he just wanted a medal."
Blake describes what went on during the 4x100m final in London world meet in 2017. "It was his last race, we were excited at first. He said to me if he can run, I said we will push it. He was feeling his hamstring. (During the race) When I came around the corner to give him the baton, I knew he was not going to make it. I could see him grab his leg, I said 'hey what about my medal'. But then, he had done so much for Jamaica, for the world. I'll forgive him once. I was very emotional at that time for the world and for Jamaica to see him end his career on such a bad note."
Blake says he is proud of what he has achieved though he feels he was born at the wrong time. "If you take Bolt away from the picture, I will be fastest man in the world. I was born in the wrong time. Nevertheless, I am still happy with what I have achieved. Yes it was hard because it was his time and it was hard competing against Bolt."
Blake also left a few things to people's imagination when asked how he lost to Bolt despite beating him in Kingston in both the sprints prior to the London Olympic Games. "I beat him in Kingston (before the 2012 Olympics). In London. I should have won but there were things going on behind the scenes which I won't say ... I can't say, I will get into trouble."
Blake feels sorry for the next generation of sprinters emerging from Jamaica. He feels they are not working hard enough to achieve success at the top level.
"I don't think they (Jamaican sprinters) are as motivated as before. We showcased a different level of athletics to the world. I was following in those footsteps. The female athletes like Shelly-Ann Fraser-Price continues to do well. But among the men, it is me right now because there is no one to take up the mantle of sprinting in Jamaica.
"It is the hard work that is driving people away from sprinting. It is not difficult to get up everyday and go for training. It is not easy," he concluded.