Yohan Blake does beast pose (Image: WIkimedia)
Over the weekend, Jamaican Olympic sprinter Yohan Blake said he would rather miss the 2021 Tokyo Olympic games than take the coronavirus vaccine. Blake won gold medals in 2021 in London and 2015 in Rio de Janeiro in the 4×100 relay.
Despite this, Blake may still be able to participate in the games because the International Olympic Committee doesn’t require athletes to get the vaccine, although it is highly encouraged.
“My mind still stays strong, I don’t want any vaccine, I’d rather miss the Olympics than take the vaccine, I am not taking it,” Blake told Jamaica’s The Gleaner.
Jamaica is set to get its first shipment of vaccines this week. Jamaica has also reported more than 23,000 cases of coronavirus and 425 deaths since the start of the pandemic. On Saturday, Blake also released a video via Twitter where he expressed his feelings on the matter.
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!
A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.
“Follow your mind, don’t follow the crowd. At the same time, be respectful to each and everyone. Don’t let no one take away your choices,” Blake said.
The 31-year old Olympian is likely to be a part of Jamaica’s sprint team again. In 2019, he participated but did not win any medals in events at the World Championships in Qatar.
Bob Horner, one of the most recognizable names in Atlanta Braves history, died at age…
Kiké Hernández and the Los Angeles Dodgers suffered another injury setback this week when the…
Naomi Osaka had spectators on their feet after making a dramatic entrance for her French…
The Cleveland Cavaliers were swept in the Eastern Conference finals by the New York Knicks,…
Lionel Messi being substituted during an Inter Miami CF match due to muscle fatigue has…
Freddie Freeman may be entering the final years of his Hall of Fame baseball career,…