Superstar Blake

Second fastest man in the world runs in Eisenstadt

Yohan Blake finished behind Usain Bolt at the London Olympics.(Bild: AFP)

This is a real coup! The Raiffeisen Austrian Open on May 22 will feature Jamaican sprint rocket Yohan Blake - Usain Bolt's companion, two-time world champion and Olympic silver medalist. The 34-year-old presented himself with a video message.

The Jamaican's video amazed everyone. Fellow countryman and companion Usain Bolt, with whom he won Olympic gold in the relay in 2012 and 2016, ended his career at the age of 30. Blake is still running at 34 - his top times over 100 meters and 200 meters were achieved in 2012 and 2011 respectively. Only Bolt has ever been faster over both distances.

"Hello everyone, my name is Yohan Blake - I'm the second fastest man in the world and I'm looking forward to running against Markus Fuchs in Eisenstadt. You can't miss it!" 

Top star wanted
On May 22, the two-time world champion and Olympic silver medalist will start at the Raiffeisen Austrian Open in Eisenstadt. How is that possible? "We wanted a top star, had ten candidates - then it came down to the budget," explains organizer Rolf Meixner. 

Mayor Thomas Steiner, OSR managing director Franz Rumpolt, sprinter Markus Fuchs, Raiffeisen-Burgenland board member Rudolf Suttner and organizer Rolf Meixner.(Bild: Bettina Eder)

Fast track impressed
In Franz Rumpolt, Meixner has a sports-mad sponsor on his side. "Pole vault star Duplantis costs as much as the whole meeting," smiles Meixner. "Blake is not quite in the five-figure range," says Rumpolt, who is covering the entry fee. The contact came about through the Dutch manager Caroline Feith, who heard from coach Philipp Unfried how fast the track in Eisenstadt is.

Markus Fuchs is looking forward to the race against Yohan Blake.(Bild: GEPA)

Austria's best over 100 m, Markus Fuchs (home record 10.08), can qualify directly for the Olympics with a time of 10.00: "I like running in Eisenstadt, it could work out there. The fact that Blake is coming is a huge incentive."

Tickets and information are available at: www.la-akademie.at