Egypt fast-tracks recycling plant to turn Suez Canal into 'green canal'    Global pressure mounts on Israel as Gaza death toll surges, war deepens    Egypt targets 7.7% AI contribution to GDP by 2030: Communications Minister    Irrigation Minister highlights Egypt's water challenges, innovation efforts at DAAD centenary celebration    Egypt discusses strengthening agricultural ties, investment opportunities with Indian delegation    Al-Sisi welcomes Spain's monarch in historic first visit, with Gaza, regional peace in focus    Cairo governor briefs PM on Khan el-Khalili, Rameses Square development    El Gouna Film Festival's 8th edition to coincide with UN's 80th anniversary    Egypt expands medical, humanitarian support for Gaza patients    Egypt condemns Israeli offensive in Gaza City, warns of grave regional consequences    Cairo University, Roche Diagnostics inaugurate automated lab at Qasr El-Ainy    Egypt investigates disappearance of ancient bracelet from Egyptian Museum in Tahrir    Egypt launches international architecture academy with UNESCO, European partners    Egypt signs MoUs with 3 European universities to advance architecture, urban studies    Egypt's Sisi, Qatar's Emir condemn Israeli strikes, call for Gaza ceasefire    Egypt condemns terrorist attack in northwest Pakistan    Egyptian pound ends week lower against US dollar – CBE    Egypt hosts G20 meeting for 1st time outside member states    Egypt to tighten waste rules, cut rice straw fees to curb pollution    Egypt seeks Indian expertise to boost pharmaceutical industry    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Athletics: Jamaican sprinter Blake aims to emulate Bolt
Published in Ahram Online on 09 - 06 - 2012

Jamaican world champion sprinter Yohan Blake would not mind if history repeated itself on Saturday at the New York grand prix meeting, a key Diamond League series test in the run-up to the London Olympics.
Usain Bolt used this meet at Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island as his coming out party four years ago, setting his first world record with a startling time of 9.72 seconds in the 100 meters before going on to double Olympic glory in Beijing.
Blake would love to emulate training partner Bolt, though he stopped short of world record predictions for Saturday's 100 metres, insisting his focus is strictly on winning hardware at the London Games.
"I don't really think about world records. It happens. Given a good day, a good condition, I'm feeling great, anything is possible out here," Blake told reporters at a news conference ahead of the meet. "I'm just thinking Olympics, I'm just thinking the gold."
The meet on the small island in the East River across from the skyline of Manhattan features athletes from 42 countries including 72 Olympic or world championships medalists gearing up for the July 27-August 12 London Games.
The women's 100 metres also promises fireworks.
American Carmelita Jeter, the reigning world champion, 2008 Olympic gold medalists Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica, world championship bronze medalists Kelly-Ann Baptiste of Trinidad and Tobago and three-time world 200 metres champion Allyson Felix of the U.S. comprise an impressive field.
The 22-year-old Blake, who considers the 200 metres his better distance, said he wants to follow in Bolt's fast footsteps by doubling up at the Olympics.
Bolt won both the 100 and 200 metres in world record time at the 2008 Beijing Games, and Blake aches to add to his 2011 world championship win, which came after Bolt was disqualified for a false start.
"Everybody wants to be that number one person. They don't want to be that second guy," Blake, who goes by the nickname "The Beast," said about making his own golden Olympic memories.
"I already have a world championship. For me that don't count. That was last year. This year is this year. This is going to be my first Olympics. I want to have a medal at the Olympics. That's where I want my respect."
Among those lining up against Blake will be Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago, the 2008 Olympic silver medalist, and American Trell Kimmons, this year's U.S. indoor champion.
At the other end of the track spectrum, the women's 5,000 metres offers a showdown between top Ethiopian runners.
World record holder and 2008 double Olympic champion Tirunesh Dibaba (5,000 and 10,000 meters) will be going against rival Meseret Defar.
Defar, the 2004 Olympic 5,000 meters gold medalist and former world record holder, has not raced against Dibaba since 2009. Eight-time world cross country championships medalist Werknesh Kidane of Ethiopia is also in the field.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter: @AO Sports / and Facebook AhramOnlineSports)


Clic here to read the story from its source.