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Usain Bolt beaten by Yohan Blake in 200m at Olympic trials

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Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake

Usain Bolt was beaten by Yohan Blake in the 200m final at the Jamaican Olympic trials - the world record holder's second loss to his rival in 48 hours.

Blake stunned Bolt in Friday's 100m final and repeated the feat over the longer distance, finishing in 19.80 seconds, 0.03secs ahead.

World 100m champion Blake burst past his training partner on the straight for the victory.

"I'll have to figure out what I did wrong and work on it," said Bolt.

The reigning 100m and 200m Olympic champion, who also won 4x100m gold in Beijing, said he was "weak" and must "put in the work" ahead of London 2012.

"I'm the Olympic champion, I have to show the world that I'm the best - so I expect to come back," he said.

"Three more weeks should be enough to get myself back into shape."

Blake, 22, had been quicker in Saturday's 200m semi-finals, running 19.93secs, while Bolt, 25, won his heat in 20.26secs.

They are the fastest two men of all time over the distance and their battles are set to be one of the highlights of the London Games.

"I can never be discouraged," said Bolt, who holds the world record for both the 100m (9.58secs) and 200m (19.19secs). "I'm never worried until my coach gets worried. My coach isn't worried, so I'm OK."

His coach, Glen Mills, said he was confident Bolt would be at his peak again in time for the Olympics, which begin later this month.

"Usain has the experience, the ability, he has been there already," said Mills. "He might be a little off at the moment, but I'm sure when the time of delivery comes around, he'll be on top of his game."

Blake had only words of thanks for Bolt.

"He always gives me a lot of encouragement and tells me to keep coming to this race," said Blake.

"A lot of people gave me encouragement, said 'Yohan Blake, you can do it'. I just wanted to keep performing and keep going."

In the women's 200m, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce won in a personal best of 22.10secs to add to her earlier success in the 100m.

She will be joined in the squad for London by Sherone Simpson and two-time defending Olympic champion Veronica Campbell-Brown.

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64 comments

  • Comment posted by Dungolfin, at 10:05 2 Jul 2012

    This might mean Bolt runs for 100m rather than his usual 90m and we'll see just how fast he really can be.

  • Comment posted by Darpor, at 14:59 2 Jul 2012

    For anyone seriously suggesting that Bolt was cruising, are you watching the same race as the rest of us?

    Don't forget that Blake ran 19.26 last year, becoming the second fastest behind Bolt and demoting Johnson to third, someone who held a record that many thought wouldn't be beaten.

    We are not talking Powell here, who is fast but doesn't have the mental ability to beat Bolt. Blake does.

  • Comment posted by U15059924, at 10:23 2 Jul 2012

    Both of them are running more than half a second slower than their best. That's a huge margin. You can't read into this that Bolt isn't on the pace. This is just mind games. They are both just qualifying. Neither wants to let the other know just how fast they really are. Blake is cruising as much as Bolt is.

  • Comment posted by kockneyred, at 09:25 2 Jul 2012

    Bolt vs Blake will be definitely be a great battle come the Olympics. Bolt will thrive on the competition for sure!

  • Comment posted by User0278856333, at 11:30 2 Jul 2012

    Blake ran 19.26 last Sept, just 0.07 outside Bolt's WR from Berlin 2009 and faster than Bolt's time from Beijing 08. He certainly won't be intimidated by Bolt in London and these victories at trials, together with the growing confidence he's gained from being world 100m champ and the 2nd fastest 200m run ever, will give Yohan true belief that he can actually beat the 'invincible' one next month.

  • Comment posted by User0335331917, at 15:40 2 Jul 2012

    Usain Bolt does not look like he is jogging here. He was running against his biggest rivals and Blake is looking really good.

    If is still a big upset. Obviously it doesn't mean that Usain olt can't run faster in a few weeks time but it might have dented his confidence if that is possible. http://playwithflair.com/

  • Comment posted by Collywolly, at 10:17 2 Jul 2012

    @10 - I don't think Bolt is all about the money. He's fastest man ever, and can potentially go faster. He's charismatic too - why shouldn't he use this to make his life comfortable after he retires in his early-mid30's?

    Perhaps by the standards to Athletics he's making more money than most, but compared to other sports he's not making that much (and he's more talented than any footballer!)

  • Comment posted by User0861038468, at 09:39 2 Jul 2012

    His non sporting life is taking over it would appear. Time to stop advertising and get training!

  • Comment posted by User0415257475, at 09:23 2 Jul 2012

    So Blake confirms his place as a genuine contender for both the 100m and 200m titles at the Olympics. As if the prospect of Bolt vs Gay vs Powell wasn't mouth watering enough. Can't wait to see this!

  • Comment posted by User0138791583, at 11:45 2 Jul 2012

    Let's hope we don't have to endure the same selective 'doping' dross as we did in the last article.

  • Comment posted by jimthree60, at 09:28 2 Jul 2012

    This is brilliant news because it just makes for a potentially wonderfully competitive pair of sprint finals. The 2008 100m final was a truly remarkable race, because of one man's sudden dominance. 2012 could be equally as good because it could be a close finish between maybe 4 different people. Fingers crossed for Bolt, though...

  • Comment posted by User0694479698, at 09:27 2 Jul 2012

    Will make the 100m and 200m a must watch event at the Olympics and help make the London Olympics a memorable event.

  • Comment posted by Commentator, at 11:29 2 Jul 2012

    Bolt, when not false starting, is a big stage player and delivers. Blake is the new Bolt but my guess is not in London 2012.

    Either way it will be great to watch as a neutral.

  • Comment posted by Daniel, at 11:41 2 Jul 2012

    Wow, this is the problem with the British public....always ready to party at someones demise than to praise their achievements also mistaking confidence with arrogance because we bring up a country of underachivers. He's already proven his pedigree. Having said that there's at least 5 athletes in the running now Bolt vs Blake vs Powell vs Gay vs Gatlin. Should be an awesome 100m Olympic Final.

  • Comment posted by Aldebaranian, at 11:07 2 Jul 2012

    I think this is great news - not because Bolt lost, the guy is a godsend for athletics - but this is surely building up to something truly amazing in London. Can't wait!

  • Comment posted by DocW, at 12:08 2 Jul 2012

    I watched the Michael Johnson documentary about Bolt and his main problem seemed to be a lack of discipline. Undoubtedly a fabulous natural athlete but mentally lazy and lacks the focus of a true long term great.

  • Comment posted by Stephen Marsh, at 20:15 2 Jul 2012

    I'm so glad that Yohan Blake has come along to challenge Bolt. I love Usain, but watching him finish 10m ahead of everyone else was getting a bit boring. London 2012 will hopefully be the best ever Olympic 100m & 200m. I live near the stadium; just being nearby has already improved my running. I can now sprint to the pub next door in just over 45 seconds...

  • Comment posted by Dr-G, at 10:07 2 Jul 2012

    alarm bells ringing in Bolt's head ?

    The problem with dominant athletes in general, there usually is someone better and younger than you that will catch up and overtake you. Bolt's outstanding records will be beaten - perhaps by Blake..we'l have to wait and see

    For a fan or spectator, that can only mean great things and new heights of human sports performance....

  • Comment posted by Jeff Harris, at 10:46 2 Jul 2012

    It is not arrogance if you can deliver and Bolt has done time and time again.You lose races, they are athletes and do not peak for every race.Blake was the better man this weekend does not mean he will be in London.Bolt has the confidence of knowing he has run 9.58 and 19.19 and could have gone quicker in those races, so he knows he can do it.3 defeats in 4 years not a bad athlete is he?

  • Comment posted by the-tiger, at 21:18 2 Jul 2012

    Great times these for qualifying. Would have won Gold in all previous games. Great build up. But what is the secret. Even Gay/Gatlin have learned to do it now. If its hard work, how come so many others cant do it - brits/french/etc.
    A great era for most sports - even tennis has all timers. Must be modern fitness techniques plus diet plus training. Jamaica to Sprints and Spain to Footy.

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