Olympic Track 2012: What Beating Usain Bolt Would Mean to Yohan Blake

When the men stepped on the track for the 100-meter dash at the Jamaican National Senior Championships, it wasn't just to determine who would make their Olympic team. It would also determine who was the fastest man in the world...at least on that day.

Jamaica has become so dominant in sprinting events that their fastest runner is deserving of that moniker. Their two top runners are Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake.

Bolt had been almost unbeatable since winning three gold medals at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. 

He was motivated to improve his form and become a dominant sprinter after snagging a silver medal at the 2007 World Championships in the 200 meters and the 4x100-meter relay.

He won the same three gold medals at the 2009 World Championships (the 100, 200 and 4x100 relay) that he won in Beijing and was dominating his competition.

Then came the 2011 World Championships.

Countryman and training partner Blake was beginning to make a name for himself. Bolt already knew what Blake was capable of, as the two share a coach and track time in Jamaica.

There was intrigue and suspense as the two were in the blocks for the start of the 100.

Then came the first sign of a flaw in Bolt's armor. He came out of the blocks prior to the gun and was out of the championships.

Blake cruised in the final's restart to earn gold in his first World Championship.

Whether Bolt suffered a mental lapse or voluntarily withdrew with an intentional false start has been up for debate. Either way, there was proof that Bolt was fallible. 

More concerns arose when Bolt withdrew from a meet in Monaco. There was speculation on his health and his mental conditioning.

Even though Blake became the youngest-ever 100-meter world champion, Jamaica has had difficulty embracing him. He is still young at just 22 years old and hasn't yet reached the level of consistency needed to be a champion.

He also has a minor black mark on his record.

Prior to the 2009 World Championships he and two teammates tested positive for stimulant 4-Methyl-2-hexanamine.

It wasn't a banned substance, but it was so close in makeup to another substance with an unpronounceable name that the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) suspended him and didn't allow him to compete in the 2009 World Championships.

That stigma has followed him, and his inability to beat Bolt on the track left fans questioning his legitimacy. 

Blake answered that criticism at the Cayman Invitational and again in Jamaica's Olympic qualifier. He beat Bolt at 100 and 200 meters in both events.

This was the first loss for Bolt in the 200 since  Tyson Gay beat him at the 2007 World Championship.

While the wins and breaking Bolt's streak may be impressive, they don't forge a national reputation.

The point of a nation's trial is to earn a spot on the Olympic team. Bolt and Blake both managed to do so.

Bolt can extend reasons for his second-place finishes, and it is hard to dismiss them in a meet that doesn't require a win to be successful.

But at a pre-Olympic press conference he said he's "ready to go."

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"I'm always ready. It's all about championships. I've had slight problems, but I'm ready to go.

"I'm going to focus on going out there to win.

"My back was a little stiff and it affected my hamstring but I'm over that. I've been training for the past two-and-a-half weeks and everything is all right."

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It is hard to argue that grabbing a silver medal or two in London instead of gold in his individual events would diminish what Bolt has meant to his nation and the sport of track and field. He's had a distinguished career that is far from over, even though might change.

"I will definitely carry on if I achieve my goals here," Bolt told reporters. "I will just set myself new ones. It will definitely be less stressful for me, more relaxed."

Asafa Powell had to move over to make way for Bolt, and Bolt will likely eventually do the same for Blake.

Bolt added thoughts if the changing of the guard for Jamaica comes in 2012.

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"I don't think it will be the end of the world if I lose. I would definitely be disappointed if I was second. Mentally though I am always strong. I have a great team around me who keep me on track.

"My ultimate aim is to be a legend. Everyone knows it."

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Legend status will likely come, regardless of the outcome in London.

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Such a joy and honour to carry the Flag..let the games begin.. "To the world me say"

— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) July 27, 2012"

It is a much different story for Blake, though, as he attempts to break out of the rather large shadow of his teammate and friend.

When talking about his Jamaican and Racers Track Club teammate, Blake said, "I am his friend." 

Blake added, "Usain and I have business on the track but we have chemistry. We are a team in training. We talk life. We talk about our aspirations. We talk about cricket. We talk girls. We talk man to man. He talks about keeping focus. We have dinner, everything. He offers me advice. He always has and he still does."

Blake is the up-and-comer that is attempting to forge his name. A gold medal from the Jamaican Championships won't accomplish that. His gold medal from the World Championships without Bolt on the track won't earn him the respect he craves, either.

However, beating Bolt and securing an Olympic gold medal will cement him having a legacy.

In an interview with Sportsmail, Blake was soft-spoken when talking about his training and the importance of the Olympics.

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"I eat, sleep, think, walk and pray about it. The Olympic final is the crème de la crème. Why wouldn’t it dominate my mind at every moment?

"I close my eyes and dream about it. I give it everything. That is why I am The Beast. My philosophy is when I am working, other guys are sleeping. I never stop working. I want to be the best."

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What would beating Bolt mean to Blake? That he can, indeed, call himself "the best."