Blake claims Zurich 100m after Gay false starts

ZURICH (AFP) –

Jamaica’s Yohan Blake celebrates after winning the men’s 100m at the Diamond League Athletics meeting in Zurich.

Jamaican Yohan Blake continued his impressive form in the blue riband event of the 100 metres with victory in the Diamond League meeting here on Thursday.

The 22-year-old world champion became the second fastest man in the world after clocking 9.69sec in Lausanne last week to equalise American Tyson Gay, with Usain Bolt leading the way.

And Blake held his nerve in chilly, wet conditions in Zurich as Gay was disqualified for a false start.

After resettling in his blocks, Blake, who won 100m and 200m silver medals at the Olympics, rocketed out and powered through the line in a meeting record of 9.76sec.

“I am not at all surprised that after the Olympics I am coming out so strong and so fast. It’s because my coach has a plan for me,” said Blake of Glen Mills, who also coaches double Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt.

“Next year I can be even better. I am feeling good. And I am not surprised to run so fast in bad weather because I am the beast, bad weather cannot stop me.

“It’s a pity that Tyson Gay could not run with us, the race would have been even more competitive.”

Blake’s compatriot Nesta Carter, a key component of Jamaica’s all-conquering 4x100m relay team, was second in a season’s best of 9.95sec, with American Ryan Bailey taking third in 9.97sec.