Hubert Lawrence, STAR Writer

Yohan Blake is dreaming about the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Beleaguered by injuries since his double silver medal performance in the 2012 Games, Blake now feels he can run at full speed.

"My dream is not to replicate what I did, but to better what I did because I know I have the talent, I know the focus is there, and I know I have the mental strength to get it right," he said.

Recent races and training work have left the former St Jago High School star quietly optimistic. In a review of his 2015 races, he said, "They felt pretty good, a bit different because I was a bit sceptical about pushing really hard, but I was getting back to where I wanted to be."

After hamstring injuries in 2013 and 2014, Blake came back to the track this season with a handful of races in local development meets, the Jamaican National Championships, and in Europe.

"The doctor said I was as good as new and was good to go," he explained, "but in my mind, I was saying, what if ... I'm not really sure because this thing happened to me two years."

This year's work has left him far more confident about his fitness. Confirmation came from a series of Racers Track Club training sessions with his friend Usain Bolt not long before the 15th World Championships.

"In training with him, I was back to 9.69 form," he said, "but for some reason, I couldn't put it together."

His best time for the year was 10.12 seconds. Before the injuries, Blake improved steadily, crowned his 2011 World title with late-season personal best times of 9.69 and 19.26 seconds and runner-up spots behind Bolt in the 2012 Olympics.

"There comes a point when you forget your place in life," he continued. "You forget certain things and God puts a stop in your tracks - not saying your career is over, but to refocus and come again.

"I'm looking forward to 2016," he concluded.