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Sprinter Yohan Blake ready to dethrone teammate Usain Bolt at London Olympic Games


Swimmer Michael Phelps has been proven vulnerable.

Despite a lion's heart cyclist Clara Hughes couldn't win the medal that would make her Canada's most decorated Olympian.

Will sprinter Usain Bolt, a star at the Beijing Games with three gold medals, be the next hero to taste reality at the London Olympics? If anyone can out run Bolt's fame it's fellow Jamaican Yohan Blake.

The man who would be king became frustrated when questioned about racing against his friend and training partner in Sunday's 100-metre final.

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"I'm not really focusing on Usain,'' Blake told The Guardian newspaper. "I'm focusing on a good execution on the race day.

"If I go in there thinking about the other guys I might get in trouble. My philosophy is to be me. The sky's the limit and just work hard on that day and see what happens."

The 22-year-old, who didn't make the Jamaican team for the Beijing Games, didn't hesitate when asked about his goal at these Olympics.

"Three golds,'' he said.

Phelps, regarded by many as the greatest swimmer of all time, has set the record for winning the most Olympic medals. He did show signs of being human in London, missing the podium in the 400-metre individual medley and settling for the first two silvers of his career.

The 39-year-old Hughes battled to win the seventh Olympic medal of her career but time and a back injury finally caught up to her. She finished fifth in Wednesday's time trial but retires as an Canadian sports icon.

Bolt became the face of the Beijing Games by sweeping the 100, 200 and 4x100-metre relay with world-record times. His celebrations and effervescent nature caught the world's attention.

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Cracks begin to show in his invulnerability after Blake beat him twice at the Jamaican national trials. This hasn't stopped Bolt from promising a good show in London.

"Hands down. For sure," he told AP. "I'm thinking this could easily be one of the fastest 100 metres anybody has ever seen, because these guys have shown a lot of potential throughout the season. There are guys that have been running fast, especially because it's an Olympic year.''

While Blake might match Bolt on the track he loses in a popularity race. Blake doesn't have Bolt's personality. He broods, he's intense.

Blake also failed a drug test ahead of the 2009 world championships in Berlin and received a three-month ban. He won the 100-metre world title in Daegu last summer but the victory came after Bolt false started.

Blake admits he's serious and obsessed with hard work.

"That's why Usain gave me the name The Beast," said Blake. "When I'm training I train like a beast."

This will be Blake's first Olympics but he scowls at any suggestion his inexperience is a hindrance.

''One thing I really hate is experience,'' he said. "Experience for me doesn't work. Everybody's talking about experience this, experience that. For me it's all about going out there and keep focused and getting the job done.

"It's not about beating Usain or anyone else. I'm just focused on executing a good race."

Blake is cool when asked if he's a favourite to win the 100 metres, track's marquee event.

"I see myself as one of the competitors," he said. "Anything can happen on the day. When we cross that line on Sunday we will see."

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