WATCHING Yohan Blake fail to advance to the men’s 100m finals at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA, on Saturday night brought disappointment to the administrators and wards at Mount Olivet Boys’ Home in Manchester.

But in an instant they snapped out of that frame of mind, pledging that their love, admiration, and gratitude to Blake will never die — whether he wins or loses a race.

“Yohan is always part of our family. Win or lose, he continues to be a source inspiration for the boys,” Patrick Newman, director of the home, said. “We were praying and hoping that he would have made it to the finals. Unfortunately, he came fourth and looked disappointed. When we saw that he ran a sub-10 for the first in a very long time at the National Championships, we were hoping he would at least go to the finals. Regardless, we continue to support him in his track and field endeavours.”

YB Afraid Foundation (YBF) has spent over $150 million to transform the living conditions and facilities at the institution so as to give hope to boys who, in some instances, prior to Mount Olivet, lived tougher lives than many adults. Before the intervention of YBF in 2018, the boys at Mount Olivet lived in a very aged building that was over 180 years old.

Fifteen-year-old Oshane Lawrence, who has ambitions of becoming either a real estate agent or a lawyer, said Blake losing a race cannot change his mind about the athlete. According to him, the investment made by Blake and the foundation has opened his life up to many possibilities.

“I feel unhappy Yohan didn’t make it to the finals; I wanted him to come in the top three. Yohan Blake has set the vibes in Mount Olivet; he has contributed a lot to this home. We cannot thank him enough; he has always been there for us and we just want to thank him. I have been here from 2015 and it has been a breakthrough for me. At this boys’ home I don’t have anything to worry about — all I have to do is put in my work and be dedicated. I am very much on my way to good things,” he told the Jamaica Observer on Saturday.

Markell Bowe said he too felt sad that Blake didn’t at least make the finals, but said he quickly put the results of Saturday evening’s semi-finals behind him.

“He inspires me a lot. He gave us options in life. He didn’t win and I feel a little down, but we still love him.”

Blake also has the unwavering support of Christopher Dawes, who told the Observer that they continue to cheer him on, no matter his placement.

“He has impacted our lives tremendously and opened doors for us through his continued support and sponsorship. We are very grateful for that and we really appreciate that. He gives us the determination to push and never give up. Because of him and the foundation we have a better environment where we can work together, play and learn.”

Mount Olivet has the capacity to accommodate 41 wards of the State but currently caters to 34 boys. The institution also accommodates a few boys who are above 18 years old and are pursuing tertiary education but who have no families to reintegrate with and nowhere else to go.