Merlene
Ottey in Sardinia tonight
Agency reports
12 July 2000 - Paris – Jamaica’s Merlene Ottey is to run her first race of the season over 100 metres in Nuoro, Sardinia tonight, since the IAAF Arbitration Panel lifted her suspension earlier this month.
After an absence of one year from the track, Ottey told reporters upon her arrival in Sardinia "I have heard that the track here is quite fast, but the time I record is not particularly important, because I know I’m not yet in top condition. I only hope to run well".
Ottey’s manager Daniel Zimmerman has said that " Merlene is focused on her first race, she is in excellent physical condition and determined to be ready in time for the Jamaican Olympic Trials and after that, the Sydney 2000 Olympics."
Currently 40-year-old Ottey spends her time between Monaco, which she now calls home, and Slovenia where her new coach Sridjan Djordjevic is based. Her main aim is to obtain a medal at her sixth Olympic Games, where she will face many much younger adversaries.
"After the past year, my head is somewhat tired, but my legs are still fast. Most certainly there are many young athletes out there faster than me, but it all depends on my performances over the next two months. Only once I have raced against all my adversaries can I say who will be my biggest rivals."
Following the outing in Sardinia, the 40 year old Ottey, who is aiming to compete only in the 100 metres in Sydney, will return to Jamaica, where "she will spend a few days with her family before going to Kingston for the Trials from 20 to 22 July" confirmed her manager.
