Canadian Olympic gold medalist Jerome Blake returned to his alma mater Rutland Senior Secondary to inspire the students.

(BAILEY ZIMMER / iNFOnews.ca)

Canadian Olympic medalist Jerome Blake revisited his roots with visit Tuesday to the Kelowna high school he attended as a student.

Blake was part of Canada's men's 4x100-metre relay team that claimed Olympic gold in Paris this past summer. With Andre De Grasse running the anchor leg, Blake, Aaron Brown and Brendon Rodney improved on the silver medal they won in Tokyo. The Canadians posted a winning time of 37.5 seconds in the final. South Africa was second in 37.57 seconds and Britain third in 37.61.

He was at Rutland Senior Secondary School, Sept. 24, to talk to current students about his journey as an Olympian, the beginning of his career and what he had to do to get where he is today.

“I was excited to come here. I went to bed at 10 o’clock last night, I woke up at 7 a.m. because I knew I needed to bring lots of energy and just be ready. I love Kelowna, I love RSS. This is where everything started for me, everyone here supported me while I was trying to chase my goals,” Blake said. “I always have to keep Rutland and RSS close to my heart."

Jerome Blake "lost" a race against students.

(BAILEY ZIMMER / iNFOnews.ca)

Blake gave special thanks to the school's track and field coach Peter McCall who was vital in his development as a runner.

“Coach McCall, he’s been here for the longest time. He’s inspired a lot of kids to believe and trust in the process and trusting in what they’re going to do,” Blake told the students. “He told me it’s possible, I just have to continue doing what I want and go work for it. That’s what I did. Inspiration comes from him.”

Blake answered questions from the audience with a smile and joked around as though he was in his high school days again. This shone through especially when a student asked Blake what music he listens to in preparation for a race, to which Blake replied he listens to Celine Dion, resulting in laughter from the audience.

When asked about Blake’s expectations the morning of the Olympic race in Paris, he answered “we knew we were going to win,” which was followed by an eruption of laughter and applause from the audience.

“The next goal is to be the fastest person that’s ever lived,” Blake said.

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Blake preached discipline and sacrifice as a means to success. He recounted leaving prom early and missing the graduation photos so he could go to track and field events. He put on a cap and gown and took a photo with coach McCall, which will be posted and hung on the school’s wall with the other graduate’s photos.

Jermone Blake and Rutland Senior Secondary coach Peter McCall get ready for his "graduation" photo.

(BAILEY ZIMMER / iNFOnews.ca)

Blake left the students with a piece of advice.

“Continue to believe, continue to work hard. Trust the process of life. Whatever you want, just go out and work for it. Nothing’s impossible, everything’s achievable if you have faith, belief and trust in what you want," he said. "Surround yourself with good people. That’s one thing that gets you to the top; surround yourself with good people and just have faith in those people. Make sure you stay grounded, stay confident.”

While Blake is back in his hometown for a few days, he said he'll spend most of his time visiting people he hasn’t seen for a very long time.

— With files from The Canadian Press

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