Blake and Bolt still 'friends' despite rivalry

Yohan Blake has insisted his rivalry with fellow Jamaican sprinter and training partner Usain Bolt will remain a friendly one regardless of what happens at the Olympics.

Olympics 2012 | Schedule | Medals Tally

Blake, 22, is likely to be Bolt's chief rival when the track great defends his 100 metres and 200 metres gold medals at London 2012.

Bolt was in majestic form in Beijing four years ago but won just the 200m title at the World Championships in South Korea last year, with Blake capitalising on his compatriot's disqualification to win the 100m.

Blake also beat Bolt over both distance at the Jamaica Olympic trials earlier this month.

"Win, lose or draw we are friends, even though it is business and he wants to win and I want to win." Blake told the BBC.

Blake trains alongside Bolt under the same coach at the Racers Track Club in Kingston and said the arrangement had been a big boost to his career.

"Every time in training I want to win but he's always there. So I say, 'Okay, how am I going to win on the big day?'.

"That's why some of the time I tend to be at the front so when I get on the track I can say, 'Okay, I beat him in training'."

Blake added: "He will say to me, 'Yohan, look, you're not doing this for the people, you're not doing this for the fans, you're not doing this for your family, you're doing this for yourself.' He can motivate me."