Why was sprinter Ackeem Blake disqualified at the USATF LA Grand Prix? Everything about the incident that saw the Jamaican not defend his title

On Saturday, Ackeem Blake lined up at the Drake Stadium for the 100m sprint, one of the most anticipated races of the USATF LA Grand Prix. However, fans were let down when the Jamaican was disqualified from the race due to a false start.

On the 18th of May, the Jamaican was set to compete as the defending champion in one of the most promising and competitive events of the LA Grand Prix, the 100m sprint. The stacked field featured the likes of Letsile Tebogo, Kyree King, and Aaron Brown. A showdown between Blake, Tebogo, and King was particularly intriguing to fans.

However, as the field of nine sprinters lined up and got ready to compete, Ackeem Blake twitched before starting gun could go off, subsequently getting disqualified for a false start.

As the runners lined up again, Blake opted not to protest the decision, ending his LA Grand Prix campaign on a disappointing note. In his absence, it was home favorites Kyree King who made it to gold, clocking a 10.13. Meanwhile, Botswanian star Letsile Tebogo settled for silver with a 10.13, while Canada's Aaron Brown clocked a 10.23 for the win.

The last time Ackeem Blake ran at the LA Grand Prix was in 2023, when he stormed to a win in a similarly competitive field. He had then clocked a 9.89 for his gold, beating the likes of home heroes Christian Coleman and Ronnie Baker.

All of Ackeem Blake’s season bests for 2024

Meanwhile, despite being disqualified at the USATF LA Grand Prix, Ackeem Blake has had quite a strong start to his Olympic year. He's stormed to multiple podiums in major events, and has clocked some pretty impressive times so far.

In February earlier this year, Blake gave a sizzling performance in the 60m sprint, clocking a season best of 6.45 at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix. The time was good enough to get him silver and place him within striking distance of his own national record.

Meanwhile, in the 100m, Ackeem Blake is one.of the many elite sprinters yet to breach the 10 second mark this season. His SB in the event is currently a 10.2, which is a long way off from his personal best of 9.89.

Lastly, the Jamaican’s best time in the 200m so far this year has been a 20.65, which he clocked on home ground at the National Stadium in Kingston in March.