Blake: It is Bolt's time

LONDON, England:

Yohan Blake has been chasing his training partner Usain Bolt all over London, but with two silver medals in his first Olympic Games in the 100m and 200m, which were both won by Bolt, 'The Beast' is contented and satisfied with his returns in the nation's capital.

Blake, the World champion over 100m, clocked a personal best equalling 9.75 in the 100m final a few days ago, before posting 19.44 in the 200m final last night with both events won by Bolt, who in the process became the first consecutive Olympic sprint double champion.

Bolt won in 19.32 while another Racers Track Club man, Warren Weir, claimed third place in a personal best 19.84, wrapping up a Jamaican sweep in the event.

However, despite not being able to repeat his double-win over Bolt at the Jamaican Olympic trials a few weeks ago, Blake is happy with his first Olympic returns and feels perhaps, this time, destiny was on his friend's side.

"I can't complain, tonight was Usain's time, that's God's plan," Blake said. "I'm young and still have a lot of years ahead of me.

"I think tonight was good, two second-place finishes in my first Olympics, I am OK," Blake added.

What he, however, isn't too pleased about is the way he executed his race, far from impressed with the way he ran his curve.

"I think I timed it a bit too late, when I came off the turn I saw Usain Bolt in front of me and said to myself that I had a lot of work to do," he noted.

Blake lauded Bolt for his achievement, and also believes that Weir is in line for a bright future, after only switching from the sprint hurdles to the half-lap event last year because of injury issues.

"Bolt is definitely a legend. I saw him doing it four years ago from my home and for him to be able to do it again, it's just amazing," Blake added. "He deserves it and works hard for all of it and so I am very happy for him.

"It's always good to have good guys coming up and good competition, and that's what keeps the sport interesting, and I'm very happy for Warren," said Blake. "We train a lot and coach (Glen) Mills have been telling us that we can do it. He is not only a coach, he is also a teacher and a father, and we all have to thank him for this."

Blake, who is the second-fastest 200m athlete of all time after a 19.26 clocking done last year in Brussels, will now turn his attention, along with Bolt, to the 4x100m relay, where Jamaica will be looking to defend the gold medal won in Beijing four years ago and become the first team to run under 37 seconds.

- A.L.