Improving Blake ends season over hamstring concerns

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake, who pulled up during his 100m victory over American Justin Gatlin at Tuesday’s Palio della Quercia meet in Rovereto, Italy, has called a premature end to his season.

Blake was scheduled to team up with American Tyson Gay and Antiguan Daniel Bailey on the Americas 4×100 metres team at this weekend’s (September 4-5) IAAF/VTB Bank Continental Cup, set for Split, Croatia.

The fourth fastest Jamaican at 9.89 seconds, Blake held onto his hamstring after about 80 metres in the race but held on for the victory in 10.07 to Gatlin’s 10.09.

He went to ground in pain afterward while still holding his right leg before being helped off the track.

“It’s nothing serious but we have decided to finish the season now,” said Blake’s manager, Cubie Seegobin. “He was only scheduled to run the 4x100m relay at the Continental Cup.”

During the season, Blake had some very close races with top American sprinter Tyson Gay, who beat him twice in the 100m and once over the 200m distance.

The 20-year-old ended his season with personal best runs of 9.89 and 19.78 over the 100 and 200 metres respectively.