Yohan Blake starred alongside Usain Bolt in a golden era for Jamaican sprinting – but he so nearly became a professional cricketer instead.

The sprinting icon won two Olympic gold medals alongside world record holder Bolt in the 4x100m relay.

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Blake also finished second to Bolt in the 100m and 200m finals at the London 2012 Olympics, running times that would have won gold in every other era.

However, the former world champion began his sporting journey on the cricket field and still eyes a future in the sport when he eventually retires from sprinting.

At school, Blake starred as a fast bowler for St. Jago High School in his native Jamaica.

As a kid, the 35-year-old dreamed of playing for the West Indies.

It was while playing for cricket that his principal spotted how fast he ran to the wicket.

The teacher then urged Blake to have a go at sprinting, which set in motion his journey to becoming the second-fastest man in history.

Blake achieved the feat in both the 100m and 200m, with personal best times of 9.69 seconds and 19.26 seconds, respectively.

However, he has continued to play cricket despite establishing himself on the track as one of the world’s best ever sprinters.

During the athletics off-season, Blake regularly played for Kingston Cricket Club, with the fast bowler setting a club bowling record with figures of four wickets for 10 runs.

He even teased a stint in the IPL in 2019, explaining: “I would love to feature in franchise cricket, I would even love to own a franchise in India.

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“And most importantly, play for either Kolkata Knight Riders or the Royal Challengers Bangalore.”

Blake later added: “I have two more years left in track and field and then it’s cricket for me.”

The 35-year-old also showed off his cricket skills on social media during the Covid lockdown.

He put on the gloves for some batting practice in his back garden as he revealed how he had been staying active in a video shared to Instagram.

After returning to athletics after the pandemic, Blake appeared at his third and final Olympics in 2021.

It was the first Games where he failed to win a medal after missing out on a place in the 100m final.

Fastest 100m sprinters in history

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Meanwhile, Jamaica could only place fourth in the 4x100m relay behind Italy, Canada and China.

Blake has not given up sprinting for cricket just yet, although his twilight years have been blighted by injuries.

Speaking after a Diamond League event in July 2024, Blake claimed that some of his impressive feats are overlooked in his home country.

He said: “My own country Jamaica doesn’t give me the respect.

“But I’m happy they don’t because other people outside do, and they appreciate me more than my own country.

“I’m happy that I’m able to be crowned elsewhere apart from Jamaica, so I’m looking to continue to do what I’m doing until I’m happy to step away when it’s time.”