Merlene Ottey

Merlene Joyce Ottey (born 10 May 1960) is a Jamaican-Slovenian former track and field sprinter. Quotes I am still hugely motivated even though I compete with athletes twice as young as me, Still, I think the games in Athens will be my last competition. New coach for Montgomery and Jones, July 10 2003 I still hold Jamaica in my heart. And I don't feel like a traitor. I have family, friends, and many, many fans in my homeland. Yet, if I had stayed in my country, I wouldn't have been able to run anymore because after the Sydney Games, the Jamaican Athletics Federation decided I was too old and should give my place to younger athletes. Back in Sydney, I felt very bad when half the team protested that I would be competing in the 100m instead of Pety-Gaye Dowdie, the Jamaican champion in that distance. Despite the protests, I ran and won a bronze medal with the 4x100 relay team. But I knew I couldn't go on like this. If they didn't want me, it was time to try somewhere else. Running is my passion and my lifestyle. Of course, it was a shock for me. I didn't know how to react after so many years of "faithful service." I felt cheated, betrayed. But I recovered. This humiliation made me a stronger woman, and who knows, maybe even a better athlete. I've known this country very well since 1998, when Srdjan Djordjević became my coach. Because Slovenia was part of the former Yugoslavia, I was warned back then that there was a war going on there, bombs were falling on cities. I was terrified, like, 'Oh my God, where am I going?' I had no idea what awaited me there. After arriving, I looked around. I saw the sea, the mountains , the sun was shining beautifully. I thought to myself, I could live here. So when I was written off in Jamaica, I applied for Slovenian citizenship. I've had it since 2002, and I'll do everything I can to avoid bringing shame to my new homeland in Athens. Back in 1999, I was cleared of all charges; the case was over and done with. Since then, there's never been any doubt about my purity, even though I've competed countless times and passed countless background checks. I've been hearing about scandals in athletics throughout my 24-year career. I don't want to point fingers or accuse anyone by name, but I often felt like I lost because my opponent wasn't clean. I hold a grudge against many, many rivals for that. I first heard this question in Barcelona, ​​and I was only 32 years old there. I always answered, "I think so, most likely so." But today I'll say I simply don't know. I'd really like to make my debut. Even just out of curiosity, to answer the question: how fast can Merlene Ottey run at 46? So if I'm still running, if I'm still among the best, I'll compete, because I owe it to Slovenia. Because that's how I feel. Besides, what does age matter? It's better to focus on an athlete's results, not their age. I only remember the final 200m, the silver medal fight against the Russian, and the cheering of the Jamaican fans in the final, which I lost and won bronze. I also remember how I even went there. Four years earlier, at the Montreal Olympics, Jamaican sprinter Dan Quarrie had competed. He won the gold medal in the 200m. We didn't have a TV at home, but we listened to the radio broadcast of the competition. Everyone was screaming with delight, running around the streets with joy. I asked what was going on. They said, 'What do you mean, it's the Olympics !' I thought to myself that since there's so much buzz around track and field athletes, I want to be one too. I have to go to the next Olympics. And I did. I came here primarily for the pleasure of racing again at this great event. Judging by my recent results, I'd like to reach at least the semifinals. But of course, I'll try to achieve as much as possible. I actually feel like I did in Moscow, when no one was betting on me, but I managed to win the bronze medal. I'm calm, and that's good. All the pressure is on my rivals. I'm 44 years old, but I won't let anyone retire me. I'll stop running when I decide it's time," says Jamaica's once-famous sprinter, who will race for Slovenia in Athens.,August 18 2004 External links Category:1960 births Category:Sportspeople from Jamaica Category:Track and field athletes Category:Women from Jamaica Category:Women in sports Category:Women born in the 1960s Category:Living people