ALLAN WELLS has expressed his sadness over Yohan Blake's decision to declare himself unavailable for the Commonwealth Games and questioned the Jamaican sprinter's attitudes to cash and country.
Cubie Seegobin, Blake's manager, announced at the weekend that the former 100m world champion would be missing his national trials along with Glasgow 2014 to concentrate on the lucrative Diamond League circuit, including the Grand Prix meeting to be staged at Hampden Park on July 11 and 12.
Wells, winner of the 100 metres final at the 1980 Olympic Games and a four-time Commonwealths gold medallist, admits he is surprised at Blake's approach because he believed the Jamaicans would, at least, want to confirm themselves the fastest sprint team in the world.
With doubts also circulating about the likelihood of Usain Bolt travelling to Scotland to compete, the 62-year-old, an official ambassador for the Commonwealth Games, concedes it has been a disappointing few days for the event organisers.
"Athletes are very selfish at the best of times and he [Blake] might have taken the attitude that it is more to do with what he can put in his bank account than what he can put on the mantelpiece," said Wells. "You would have to ask him the exact reasons, though.
"If he is not going to run because of financial gain, that's disappointing for the Commonwealth Games because he is probably next best to Bolt. I find it a wee bit strange, really. You would have thought the Jamaicans would want to show they have the best sprint squad in the world and take away a 4x100m gold medal.
"It is sad to hear. He was certainly going to be the main contender for the 100 metres. I don't know what kind of money they are getting nowadays, but there are some things you should do for your country.
"I would run for Scotland, but it is their bread-and-butter now. It takes a lot of mental and physical energy to run at that level and you can maybe understand why some would take that attitude. It is changed days. The Commonwealth Games is obviously not part of his build-up and he has other things on his mind."
Bolt has also missed his national trials, but Glasgow 2014 organisers remain hopeful that he will be given medical exemption to join the Jamaican squad next month. However, reports in the Caribbean state that the 27-year-old, who has been pencilled in for the 200m, is unlikely to compete in Glasgow. He withdrew from an event in Ostrava last week and has ruled himself out of a Diamond League meeting scheduled for Paris on July 5 as he continues his recovery from a foot injury.
Michael Johnson, the four-time Olympic champion now operating as a respected television commentator on both sides of the Atlantic, is already predicting that he will not travel to Scotland. "I wouldn't hold out hope that he's going to compete at the Commonwealth Games," said the American. "There's probably more for him to lose by competing there rather than to gain. He's made it clear he's going to compete at 2016 [Olympic Games] in two years' time. As he gets older and experiences more injuries, he'll have to run fewer races and certainly fewer championships."
Wells has spoken face to face with Bolt and received assurances that he does want to compete at Glasgow 2014. However, the 100m and 200m world record holder shares the same coach as Blake, Glen Mills, and has made it clear he will make the call. "I spoke to Bolt and he wants to run, but his get-out clause is that his coach will make the final decision," said Wells. "It would be sad. I mentioned to him that Glasgow and Scotland would warmly welcome him and he would have a fantastic time.
"I spoke to him during the IAAF dinner in Monaco towards the end of last year. I cornered him. I wasn't pleading with him but lots of people had been asking me if he was going to run and I thought I would ask him the question. He gave me a significant answer, but not a definite one, so we are in the lap of the gods. I think he would like to finish his career with at least one gold medal from the Commonwealths because the Jamaicans are fanatical about sprinting and he represents what it is all about. They have a special attitude towards that event. One person doesn't make the Commonwealth Games, but it would add to the Games if he was here because he is probably the biggest star in world sport."
Wells concedes the face of sport is changing rapidly thanks to finances and admits it may be time to look at recruiting high-level sponsors and trying to find a way to provide meaningful monetary reward for athletes competing in the Commonwealths.
"Perhaps they will get sponsors for the Commonwealth Games in future and entice people to run for money," he said. "We are in that era now. Why shouldn't they get paid? The Commonwealth Games is a big, televised event and maybe there should be something the athletes get out of it financially.
"I think it would take a few years for anything to change in that way, though."Jamaican squad next month. However, reports in the Caribbean state that the 27-year-old, who has been pencilled in for the 200m, is unlikely to compete in Glasgow. He withdrew from an event in Ostrava last week and has ruled himself out of a Diamond League meeting scheduled for Paris on July 5 as he continues his recovery from a foot injury.
Michael Johnson, the four-time Olympic champion now operating as a respected television commentator on both sides of the Atlantic, is already predicting that he will not travel to Scotland. "I wouldn't hold out hope that he's going to compete at the Commonwealth Games," said the American. "There's probably more for him to lose by competing there rather than to gain. He's made it clear he's going to compete at 2016 [Olympic Games] in two years' time. As he gets older and experiences more injuries, he'll have to run fewer races and certainly fewer championships."
Wells has spoken face to face with Bolt and received assurances that he does want to compete at Glasgow 2014. However, the 100m and 200m world record holder shares the same coach as Blake, Glen Mills, and has made it clear he will make the call. "I spoke to Bolt and he wants to run, but his get-out clause is that his coach will make the final decision," said Wells. "It would be sad. I mentioned to him that Glasgow and Scotland would warmly welcome him and he would have a fantastic time.
"I spoke to him during the IAAF dinner in Monaco towards the end of last year. I cornered him. I wasn't pleading with him but lots of people had been asking me if he was going to run and I thought I would ask him the question. He gave me a significant answer, but not a definite one, so we are in the lap of the gods. I think he would like to finish his career with at least one gold medal from the Commonwealths because the Jamaicans are fanatical about sprinting and he represents what it is all about. They have a special attitude towards that event. One person doesn't make the Commonwealth Games, but it would add to the Games if he was here because he is probably the biggest star in world sport."
Wells concedes the face of sport is changing rapidly thanks to finances and admits it may be time to look at recruiting high-level sponsors and trying to find a way to provide meaningful monetary reward for athletes competing in the Commonwealths.
"Perhaps they will get sponsors for the Commonwealth Games in future and entice people to run for money," he said. "We are in that era now. Why shouldn't they get paid? The Commonwealth Games is a big, televised event and maybe there should be something the athletes get out of it financially.
"I think it would take a few years for anything to change in that way, though."
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