Olympic Gold Medalist Yohan Blake Has No Interest In Getting COVID-19 Vaccine

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.

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“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.

Mia Perlman