Blake apologises for ‘dissing’ National Anthem

BY PAUL A REID Observer writer reidp@jamaicaobserver.com

Tuesday, September 06, 2011

MONTEGO BAY, St James — IAAF World Championships 100m champion Yohan Blake has apologised for his actions during the playing of the Jamaica National Anthem during the presentation ceremony for the men's 4x100m relay on Sunday’s final day of the 13th IAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea.

The 21-year-old Blake, who won two gold medals at his first major senior championships, has been harshly criticised by a wide cross section of the Jamaican population after he was seen clowning around during the anthem.

Callers to talk shows criticised the former St Jago High runner and questioned his maturity.

Blake, who won the men's 100m in the absence of defending champion Usain Bolt, ran the third leg of the 4x100m team that clocked a time of 37.04 seconds, erasing the previous mark of 37.10 seconds set by the Jamaicans at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Nesta Carter ran the first leg, handing over the baton to Michael Frater, while Bolt ran the anchor leg.

In a response through his agent, Cubie Seegobin yesterday, Blake said: “I apologise unreservedly for my behaviour and will ensure it never happens again as I continue to strive to be a good ambassador for Jamaica.”

Blake, who arrived in London with the other members of his Racers Track Club teammates, including Bolt yesterday, said it was never his intention to be disrespectful. “I realise that my actions during the playing of our National Anthem could be interpreted as being disrespectful. This was certainly not my intention as I had only just competed at the very highest level and was still overjoyed because of the overwhelming successes just achieved for my team and country.”

He said, however, that in the future he needs to keep his emotions in check. “Nevertheless I know that my emotions must be kept firmly in check during important ceremonies such as these, which demand absolute adherence to protocol.”

Blake had held his nerves and was a picture of maturity on the second day of the championships after seeing Bolt, his training partner, disqualified for a false start and went on to win the event in a season-best 9.92 seconds into a negative wind.

Prior to this, his only individual medal in an IAAF event was bronze at the World Junior Championships in Beijing, China in 2006.

He will run three more races on the professional circuit before returning home — the 100m in Zurich on Thursday, Berlin on Sunday, before running a 200m in Brussels, Belgium on September 16.

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COMMENTS (27)

Sun Child
9/6/2011

I just had a thought, before the year is over I will ensure that I acquire a copy of our national anthem and pledge and that song I love so much -" from riverside to mountain from cane fields to the sea", copy and frame and have them displayed prominently in my home.
I think we should all do they same, and teach our children, our young people love and respect of such emblems.
Imagine the good to come out of this if all Jamaican do this. Lets get them and learn them, respect and revere them.

C M
9/6/2011

Although it is not right being playful during the National Anthem, I am not excusing, but, I can see with Bolt, he is probably Hyperactive, and perhaps since a child, I always notice, he can't stand or sit still, he has a lot of energy, but all that said, they both need to stand still, my question, is there enough being emphasized in training about the patriotism of being an Ambassador? the trainers perhaps need to revisit how these athletes are being trained.

Don Jam
9/6/2011

Why are you people so harsh on Yohan, he's reacting in a natural way!! His forway on to the International scene was when he brilliantly won the 100M. Give him time. Also, Jamaica will not disapper off the face of the earth by his youthful exuberance. Relax.

Chipmunk L.
9/6/2011

It is so amazing how we can tear down the people who will not harm us but let us see someone getting hurt by thugs and we look the other way.
The guys were just plain elated and meant no ill will. All the hardliners need to focus on the killers by pointing them out to J.C.F and Jamaica will be better suited.

Christov Gibbons
9/6/2011

Some of these people commenting goes so far over the top it's unreal. You can tell these comments are coming from a damage place. Somewhere full of anger and envy. What Bolt and Blake did was foolish and nothing more than that. These guys love their country and are proud to represent Jamaica. They just get caught up in the moment and over did the show boating. Despite there gimmicks they are doing far more good for the image of our country than all the politicians put together.

Dam Will
9/6/2011

There is a lacking in fundamental training in our primary schools. Repeating the national pledge, knowing our national flower, bird, tree, etc. we are losing our respect and pride as a country. Being able to run fast is not all there has to be respect and pride. No one man is bigger than a country, MR. Yohan we appreciate your run but answer this one question "do you know the words of our national anthem?" honestly i don't think you do and if so sing it next time. Congrats Yohan... live n learn

R- Cool
9/6/2011

If our super-stars cannot be held accountable for their actions. So what influences,and messages are they sending to the youths, who see them as ROLE-MODELS.
As far as I am concerned. Usain Bolt has gotten away far too-much with many smiliar BEHAVIOUR!.
Previousley he should have APOLOGISE when he INTERNATIONALLY sided with Vibes Cartel GAZA/GULLY FEUD. He indirectly added to the FEUD.
This ongoing behaviour is always displayed by the ATHLETHES of Racers T Club. Yohan is an IMMULATER!

PL BOGLE
9/6/2011

It is very clear that most Jamaicans doesn't understand the real meaning of the word "Patriotism".

x walker
9/6/2011

Now just maybe this had to happen on a world stage for us to see the disrespect we give to our Anthem and country. I see it a lot at the Stadium and theatre mostly, people will sit while the Anthem is being played. Now whilst such displays are not good, I accept the apologies and also thank them for bringing this to the fore. Good luck Mr Blake in your future races. I say to all who know better try and teach another.

Jus Irie
9/6/2011

Welcome to the spotlight Mr. Blake. Hope you have learned a valuable lesson.

Logistics Keeping It real
9/6/2011

I slowly believe that maggots are eating out the brain of some Jamaicans slowly. My god everything you guys complain about. So much is happening in Jamaica these days and people find time to be calling talk shows to complain about Bakes action. Go spend your time looking out for young girls who are going missing. I saw nothing wrong with what Blake did. He is enjoying his time and who dare say he can’t. You lazy Jamaicans who need to find something to occupy onno time. GOOD GOD MAN

PL BOGLE
9/6/2011

This incident is only highlighting our many failing Institutions especially in regards to our children. And it was unfortunate that it took place on the world stage.
For me it's much more than respect, it's the LOVE for our country that is, emotionally strong affection, compassion, pride and personal attachment to the national symbols of our country, this should be the requirements of every Jamaican and should be instituted in early childhood.
We too should take responsibility for the actions of our children.

Wayne Soprano
9/6/2011

Monsters? Verna, you dare call these guys monsters. Who did they kill? Sunchild calling Usain a showoff, talk about faceless bloggers having a lot of mouth fe chat. Bet yu a million you would not say what you write to their faces. Typical low brow people have greater need of accountability of genuine achievers but not to people who actually cause our standing of living to decline. Verna and Sunchild are two idiots.

Verna Kitson
9/6/2011

Well said, Sun Child. Apparently, they don't even bother to watch and see how all the other athletes behave because they think they're oh so special and above all rules because they're 'Jamaican' athletes. We create these monsters. lets see if we can reign them back in.

Brad Kerr
9/6/2011

@ Kerron B say what you want about Usain, but you have never seen him behaved like that when the anthem is played. Respecting the anthem is something we learn from primary school. As for Yohan i will accept his explanations of being overjoyed..I certainly was and i did not run in the race..These guys are young and is sometimes betrayed by their ages..

Kerron B
9/6/2011

Need an apology from every single Politician in this country (Oh, and Bolt too) otherwise leave Yohan alone.

D T
9/6/2011

I accept his apology, after winning the biggest race of his life so far, it is hard for a young man to control his emotions. I think he has learned from his mistake and this will never happen again. Not just him but all our athletes will now behave in a manner which will show respect for the country and our anthem. @ Chuck E when are you going to contribute something sensible to these blogs. Your countinued accountable crap make no sense, you need to let politics go and focus on Ja

Sun Child
9/6/2011

Maybe nobody told them because nobody thought they had to. This is drilled into your head from Primary through Secondary school. Bolt is a self-adulating showoff whose star power seem to be blinding everyone but I am sure the folks at Jago were appalled by Yohan, who it is obvious was just indulging in a case of 'monkey see monkey do'. It would have been better if both these young men or dare I say boys had come home medal less than to disrespect on National Anthem on the world stage.

Victor Jabari
9/6/2011

I believe Blake's apology is genuine, and should be accepted by all with the understanding that his behaviour similar to Bolt's is still a case of immaturity. Thumbs up to them and their performance. I am still proud of their performance. They just need to take it easy a bit. Expressions before winning a race is important. Our athletes should not behave as if they are unbeatable. If they learn to be humble like Tyson Gay, losing and mishaps will be less embarrassing! :) Observe Protocols friends

Victor Jabari
9/6/2011

I honour and seriously respect and appreciate the great work done by our athletes in representing our country on the tracts. However, while some of the men have demonstrated great maturity, the greater ones have demonstrated immaturity, and pride. Blake's dissing of the National Anthem is a reflection of Bolt's pulling off of shirt at his disappointment in the 100M. I reiterate that even the emotional being women VC-Brown and the others demonstrate more maturity, and better control of emotions.

larry smith
9/6/2011

congratulaton mr.blake you did well and big up vcb ad the girls we are proud f you all--i dont know what went through his mind for al you loud mouths worry not youselves because the part that says"to our leaders great defenders"may have been the sol reason for his action that part would have me chacking up as wel give the youth a break we al did wrong i remember workin in montego bay at a popular night spot where al the american stand an place their hand on their hearts few of us jamaican did it

Virginia Thom
9/6/2011

I hope you have the same passionate criticism for your government! I hope you write to and protest the antics of your government!
Tek you mouth offah the bwoy dem and focus on you government lack of accountability!

Laughing Dog
9/6/2011

All that energy criticizing these young men who went to a physical
and mental level most cannot envisioned over an anthem that "guide
us with thy mighty hand" etc. Use that energy to pressure corrupt
politicians out of office to prison. The same ones with the mighty hands. All Ja people do is talk on talk shows and rum bar and no
action. From Independence no major earth shattering project as
ever been done except selling off the rum, flour, power, etc. Hwy
2000 will be forever. Wake up critics

Kay Scott
9/6/2011

I totally agree with Azomi. It was nice to see Mr. Blake acknowledge his error and I commend him for that. While we revel in the outstanding achievements of Usain Bolt O.J., he too should be held accountable for goofing around on the podium while the anthem was being played. We love our native sons and we want them to do well, but they are now role models and should conduct themselves at the highest level both at home and abroad.Congratulations to our Jamaican team for their superb performance.

Azomi Zeet
9/6/2011

Apology accepted, yute! It really was immature of not just yourself, but USAIN BOLT, as well.
Why it seems that Yohan Blake is being singled out is beyond comprehension. Bolt is JUST AS GUILTY and a public apology is also in order from Usain. 'Nuf Said!!!

Chuck Emanuel
9/6/2011

Why is it so difficult for people to hold corrupt Politicians ACCOUNTABLE as well ?. Or is it that we must continue to ask the U.S to do it for us ?.

Jakan 2011
9/6/2011

My friend described what was happening, while it was happening and I felt badly for these guys and my country. It is nit the first and something has got to be done. This time around management was particularly lacking with this team

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Blake apologises for ‘dissing’ National Anthem