"Sad. Second fastest and his people ain’t supporting him"; "He's always been arrogant"- Fans split as Yohan Blake claims Jamaicans don't respect him

Yohan Blake recently made a surprising claim that Jamaicans don't respect him after he failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024. Fans online were divided over his statement, with some even claiming that he should have retired by now.

Blake, the second-fastest man of all time, has had an underwhelming season in 2024. He has failed to break the 10-second barrier in the last two years and didn't even qualify for the 100m finals at the Jamaican Olympic Trials in June. However, in his defense, the 34-year-old has been marred with regular injury concerns over the last couple of years.

After finishing last at the London Diamond League on July 20th, Blake claimed in an interview that he didn't feel that Jamaicans respected him. The three-time Olympian stated that he didn't feel the support from his home country and that they only respected ‘winners’.

"You know as I said, my own country Jamaica doesn't give me the respect and I'm happy they don't because other people outside do and they appreciate me more than my own country," he said.

Scores of fans online raced to express their support for the second-fastest sprinter of all time.

"This is sad. Second fastest man ever and his people ain’t supporting him. Keep fightin Blake," a fan wrote.

"The injury that Yohan got in his prime would’ve been a career ending injury for most athletes but he still kept on going like a true warrior and ran times that healthier athletes dream to run…the man deserve more respect," another fan wrote.

"So sad. Yohan Blake is a legend. Literally thebonly one who ever came close to Bolt (IMO). And it seems like there is still some juice in the tank. Hope he gets one more great season!," a user wrote.

However, a section of fans had opposite reactions, some even saying he had always been 'arrogant'.

"Yohan is a legend and should always be treated as such. But, one thing I noticed about track athletes... they simply don't know when to hang it up," a fan wrote.

"Shitting on Jamaica to a foreign media , disgusting .. nigga we didn’t rate you cuz you weren’t humble enough and here you are proving us right. Yohan Blake shares his pick for the 100m clash at Paris Olympics 2024," a user commented.

"You know what Jamaicans hate? Arrogance!! He's always been arrogant and continues to be arrogant in this interview. The Jamaican people didn't and haven't ignored his grearness, they just can't look beyond his arrogance! Sometimes I wonder if he's and American athlete," another user commented.

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Yohan Blake picks his man for the 100m gold at Paris Olympics

World Athletics Championships Oregon22 - Yohan Blake (L) in action (Photo-Getty)

Although Yohan Blake didn't qualify for the Paris Olympics, he is excited about the strong field that will line up for the 100m gold medal. Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, Oblique Seville, and Ackeem Blake will battle America’s Noah Lyles and Fred Kerley.

“Back then with me, Usain (Bolt), Asafa (Powell), (Justin) Gatlin and Tyson (Gay), the field was crazy. I love to see that Noah Lyles, Oblique Seville and Kishane Thompson, Ackeem Blake and the others are coming through and producing great times, (it) makes the sport exciting again,” said Blake (via Jamaica Observer)

When asked who would win the 100m gold in Paris, Yohan Blake claimed that every runner who qualifies for the finals will be a strong contender. However, he vowed to remain loyal to his countrymen.