Latest News on Merlene Ottey

2004 Season

Merlene Ottey
100 metre seasons best (outdoors)

Merlene Ottey
200 metre seasons best (outdoors)

Merlene Ottey
60 metre seasons best (indoors)

11.09 sec.
[no. 14 on the season list]
22.72 sec.
[no. 28 on the season list]
7.21 sec.
[no. 21 on the world list]

30 December 2004: End-of-the-year world rankings
At the end of 2004 the
IAAF World Rankings puts Merlene Ottey in 19th position over 100 metres (topped by Yuliya Nesterenko) and 38th over 200 metres (topped by Veronica Campbell). The six best performances one year back of each athlete is used to calculate the event score. The following is registrered for Merlene Ottey over 100 metres: 

Date

Competition

Cnt.

Cat

Event

Ht.

Pl.

Result

Wind

R.S.

WR

Pl.S.

Pf.S.

08.02.2004

Gent Flanders Indoor 

BEL

B

60m ind. 

F

3

7.26

 

1154

 

70

1224

15.02.2004

Karlsruhe LBBW Meeting 

GER

B

60m ind. 

F

6

7.29

 

1146

 

50

1196

19.06.2004

Istanbul  European Cup 1st League Gr. 

TUR

C

100m 

F

1

11.22

+ 3.7

1158

 

60

1196

21.07.2004

Tallinn 2004 

EST

D

100m 

F

1

11.19

+ 0.8

1164

 

40

1200

31.07.2004

Heusden−Zolder KBC Night of Athletics 

BEL

C

100m 

F

3

11.17

+ 1.7

1167

 

45

1202

21.08.2004

Athens Olympic Games 

GRE

OW

100m 

SF

10

11.21

- 0.1

1160

 

90

1250

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ranking Score: 1211

21 November 2004: Athlete of the year awards in Slovenia
Olympic bronze medallist Jolanda Ceplak was named Slovenia's female athlete-of-the-year for 2004 by the Slovenian athletics federation (AZS) on Saturday evening. Ceplak, who ran to a bronze medal finish in the 800m in Athens and earned a silver medal at the World Indoor Championships in March, took top honours for the third consecutive season. Merlene Ottey was the women's runner-up in the awards, with distance runner Helena Javornik third.

18 November 2004: Jamaica to honour Ottey with statue
A statue of Merlene Ottey will be erected in Jamaica despite her decision to switch allegiance to Slovenia. The statue, which is currently under construction, is scheduled to be completed by February 2005 with a statement from the country's Urban Development Corporation stating it will be officially unveiled next year. The organisation also said the statue was shipped overseas to be bronzed at a cost of $1.1million, which was approved by the Sports Development Foundation earlier this year. Ottey, Jamaica's most decorated sprinter, caused national controversy when she accepted Slovenian citizenship in 2002.
Source: IAAF Article

 

Coverage of 2004 Olympic Games

Announcement: Merlene Ottey's 7th participation at the Olympic Games

 

10 August 2004: Merlene Ottey to launch new clothing line
Ahead of the Olympic Games Merlene Ottey is to launch a new clothing line called OTTEY by pamp. More information about the clothing line will follow here on this site as soon as possible. You can get a preview of it by clicking on the thumbnail picture to the right. The clothing line is a sports and casual wear collection.

Await the official launch at www.otteybypamp.com

Statement from Merlene Ottey about OTTEY by pamp (audio file)

     

To see full size picture click here

9 August 2004: New mail address for the Merlene Ottey Fanclub
From today the Merlene Ottey Fanclub has changed it's e-mail address. From now on please address all your inquiries to otteyfanclub@yahoo.com

3 August 2004: Ottey shines brightly in Liege
At the Meeting International d'Athlétisme de la Province de Liége this evening Merlene Ottey shined brightly and showed that she will be a factor to be reckoned with at the Olympic Games in just two weeks. She ran a new Slovenian record of 11.09 sec. and was well ahead of Natasha Mayers. The time is also the 14th fastest this season and more interestingly is the 10th fastest among the women who is gonna participate over 100 metres in Athens.

100 metres women – heat A (wind: 2.0):
1. Merlene Ottey (SLO): 11.09 sec. (NR)
2. Natasha Mayers (VIN): 11.16 sec.
3. Peta-Gaye Dowdie (JAM): 11.45 sec.
4. Lien Huygebaert (BEL): 11.58 sec.  
5. Melanie Kleeberg (AUS): 11.59 sec.
6. Katleen de Caluwe (BEL): 11.62 sec.
7. Sandra Swennen (BEL): 11.84 sec.
8. Nancy Callaerts (BEL): 11.89 sec.

2 August 2004: Extensive interview with Merlene Ottey
Read the full interview with Merlene Ottey from her stay in Estonia (translation by Estonian fanclub member Kalvi Noormägi).

31 July 2004: Merlene improves yet again with Slovenian record in Belgium
The KBC Night of Athletics in Heusden-Zolder (Belgium) was the night of home favourite Kim Gevaert as far as the women's sprint goes, but it was certainly also the night of 44 year old Merlene Ottey. With the night going into the Olympic month she showed again her increasing form by running a new Slovenian record in the 100 metres improving to 11.17 sec. World indoor silver medallist Kim Gevaert capitalized on her good start and was in a clear lead out of the blocs, but Ottey and Vida Anim almost caught up with her on the line and the pair tied in 11.17 sec, but Ottey was given third place. "This is a national Slovenian record" said Ottey when her 11.17 sec. appeared on the board. Both Anim in second (11.17 sec.) and Gevaert in first place (11.14 sec.) set new national records. 1½ hours later Ottey ran her second-best 200 metres of the year by finishing third to Kim Gevaert and European champion Muriel Hurtis.

100 metres women – heat A (wind: 1.7):
1. Kim Gevaert (BEL): 11.14 sec. (NR)
2. Vida Anim (GHA): 11.17 sec.
(NR)
3. Merlene Ottey (SLO): 11.17 sec. (NR)
4. Natasha Mayers (VIN): 11.22 sec.
5. Allyson Felix (USA): 11.29 sec.
6. Jacqueline Poelman (NED): 11.59 sec.
7. Peta-Gaye Dowdie (JAM): 11.60 sec.
8. Lien Huygebaert (BEL): 11.65 sec.  

 200 metres women (wind: -0.4):
1. Kim Gevaert (BEL): 22.69 sec.
2. Muriel Hurtis (FRA): 22.83 sec.
3. Merlene Ottey (SLO): 23.05 sec.
4. Elodie Ouedraogo (BEL): 23.19 sec.
5. Juliet Campbell (JAM): 23.23 sec.
6. Lauren Hewitt (AUS): 23.29 sec.
7. Christine Amertil (BAH): 23.54 sec.
8. Jacqueline Poelman (NED): 23.62 sec.

http://www.kbcnacht.be

26 July 2004: Presentation of Slovenian Olympic athletes
Today Merlene Ottey took part in the presentation of Slovenia's squad for the Olympic Games. Among others Merlene Ottey was in focus since she will be the first athlete ever (across all sports) to participate in seven Olympic Games.
Pictures from the event
Preview: Merlene Ottey's 7th participation at the Olympic Games  

22 July 2004: Merlene may run in Belgium
After her magnificient win in Tallinn Merlene Ottey said that she plans to run a few races in Belgium before the Olympics. Therefore she will run at the KBC Night of Athletics in Heusden-Zolder on 31 July.

21 July 2004: Merlene in victorious ecstasy in Estonia
Merlene Ottey showed more emotion than usual after a fantastic victory this evening in the Estonian capital, Tallinn. At the EAA meeting "Tallinn 2004" she showed her rising form by running a new season best yet again and improving to 11.19 sec over 100 metres. The time was her fastest race with legal wind in 4 years and also a new Slovenian record as well as the 5th fastest time by a European woman this season. During the victory lap Merlene Ottey was ecstatic in her celebration in front of a well-pleased crowd and she stayed on the track for a long time. After the race Merlene Ottey said that she was very satisfied with the result and she has begun to think that she might have a chance at the Olympics – with a time of 11.05 sec. she thinks she could go to the final. Merlene also said that she would run some races (1-2) in Belgium before the Olympics.

100 metre final women (wind: 0.8):
1. Merlene Ottey (SLO): 11.19 sec. (SB/NR) 
2. Virgen Benavides (CUB): 11.38 sec.
3. Agne Eggerth
(LTU): 11.45 sec.
4. Lauren Hewitt (AUS): 11.61 sec.
5. Misleydis Lazoo
(CUB) 11.64 sec.
6. Peta-Gaye Dowdie (JAM) 11.67 sec.

[Fanclub member Kalvi Noormägi assisted with the report from the meeting.]

IAAF writes the following about the meeting on their website:
The lady of the sprints must be mentioned first. It is nearly unbelievable that the 44 years old Merlene Ottey was able to achieve an impressive winning time of 11.18 for the 100m. It is obvious that no one so far in the history of athletics has been able to achieve such time at such an age. Her mark is also a new national record for Slovenia. She last ran quicker in 2000. Simply magic!

 

20 July 2004: Videoclip of Merlene Ottey interview
Ahead of the EAA meeting in Tallinn Merlene gave several interviews at the press conference with the athletes. Asked how is it possible for her to continue running with another Olympic Games just around the corner, she stated the following:
- I am just glad ... (luck maybe)?
- I came out for the first one in 1980
- I was always able to have the qualifying standards for the Olympics
- In Sydney I was also 4th and I think that was very good for me
- I am just a bit surprised that I can still do it in 2004

Videoclip from the press conference

[Translation of a full interview is coming soon with assistance from fanclub member Kalvi Noormägi.]

Merlene Ottey at the press conference in Tallinn

 

17 July 2004: Merlene to the Olympics over 200 metres
Merlene Ottey finished a hugely successful week in Spain by qualifying for the Olympic Games over 200 metres just four days after running under the A norm in the 100 metre race in Salamanca. At the Madrid Super Grand Prix she finished 6th
- running a season’s best of 22.90 sec., which was 0.07 sec. below the A norm for Athens, where her Slovenian team mate, Alenka Bikar, has already qualified. Cydonie Mothersill of the Cayman Islands won the race ahead of new sprint sensation Ivet Lalova (Bulgaria). The race was run in 1.1 metre head wind, which makes the result were even more impressive.
 
200 metre final women (wind: -1.1):
1. Cydonie Mothersill (CAY): 22.47 sec.
2. Ivet Lalova (BUL): 22.51 sec.
3. Debbie Ferguson (BAH): 22.58 sec.
4. Aleen Bailey (JAM): 22.62 sec.
5. Abiodun Oyepitan (GBR): 22.69 sec. 
6. Merlene Ottey (SLO): 22.90 sec. 
7. Lauren Hewitt (AUS): 23.17 sec.
8. Roxana Díaz (CUB): 23.44 sec.
9. Peta-Gaye Dowdie (JAM) 23.58 sec.

After the race Merlene Ottey said that she has not trained much over 200 metres this season and furthermore the tough competition in the race kept her from finishing higher than 6th. For the first time she stated that she is not sure if she will end her career after the Olympic Games - it all depends on her performance at the Games.

Officially Merlene Ottey is now listed as one of 15 track and field athletes from Slovenia qualified for the Olympic Games (http://www.dnevnik.si/clanekb.asp?id=88812)

15 July 2004: Merlene Ottey plans to run in Estonia on 21 July
According to an Estonian media report Merlene Ottey plans to compete at the EAA meeting in Tallinn (Estonia) on Wednesday 21 July 2004. More will follow on this site as information becomes available.
The EAA meeting Tallinn 2004 does not have
a website (Estonian Athletic Federation).
[Thanks to Kalvi Noormägi for assistance with Estonian media reports]

13 July 2004: Merlene Ottey runs qualifying time for the Olympics
Salamanca was the place where Merlene Ottey finally succeeded in having the right conditions to run under the qualifying norm for the Olympic Games (11.30 sec.). At the 32nd Gran Premio Diputacion de Salamanca (EAA Outdoor Permit Meeting) Merlene Ottey proved her rising form curve by winning the race in 11.23 sec. ahead of Cuba’s Virgen Benavides in 11.26 sec. For the first time in more than a month the running conditions were more or less optimal for Ottey with only a slight following wind of 0.5 metres/sec. The time makes Merlene no. 9 on the European list and no. 29 on the world list for 2004. Furthermore the time is only 0.02 sec. away from Alenka Bikar’s Slovenian record.

100 metre final women (wind: +0.5):
1. Merlene Ottey (SLO): 11.23 sec.
2. Virgen Benavides (CUB): 11.26 sec.
3. Misleydis Lazo (CUB): 11.51 sec.
4. Rantxa Iglesiasa (ESP): 11.71 sec.
5. Belen Recio Cuevas (ESP): 11.78 sec.
6. Elena Corcoles (ESP): 11.78 sec.
7. Carme Blay Garbayo (ESP): 11.83 sec.
8. Emilia Paunica (ROM): 11.91 sec.

Report from IAAF: http://www.iaaf.org/news/Kind=2/newsId=26075.html  


Merlene Ottey in Salamanca

 

10-11 July 2004: Slovenian Championships
Driving rains, strong winds and low temperatures made the Slovenian Championships in the athletics-crazed city of Velenje difficult for athletes. The cold didn't keep ageless Merlene Ottey from competing in the first round of the 100 metres on Friday, in which the now 44-year-old sprint legend dashed to a 11.13 sec. virtually solo effort, albeit pushed by a hefty +5.3 wind. With temperatures dipping and the rain strengthening, Merlene Ottey opted out of the evening's final, which was won by Kristina Zumer in 11.78 sec.

100 metre final (wind: 2.6):
1. Kristina Žumer: 11.78w sec.
2. Radmila Vukmirovic: 11.90w sec.
 - Merlene Ottey: DNS
100 metre heats:
1heat1: Kristina Žumer: 11.71w sec. (wind: +4.3)
1heat2: Radmila Vukmirovic: 11.74w sec. (wind: +5.1)
1heat3: Merlene Ottey: 11.13w sec. (wind: +5.3)

Report from IAAF: http://www.iaaf.org/OLY04/news/Kind=2/newsId=26039.html

6 July 2004: Merlene Ottey cancels race in Lausanne
For unknown reasons Merlene Ottey has cancelled her race today at the IAAF Super Grand Prix in Lausanne.

3 July 2004: Ottey 4th over 200 metres in San Sebastian
At the GP Ciudad de San Sebastian Reebok Trophy in San Sebastian (Spain) today Merlene again tried her luck over the 200 metres in order to pursue the possibility of qualifying for Olympic Games over the distance. The 44-year old was beaten by three athletes in their mid-twenties and came some way short of running the 22.97 sec. A-norm for the Olympic Games. The race was won by Cydonie Mothersill of the Cayman Islands.

200 metre final (wind: +0.9):
1. Cydonie Mothersill (CAY): 22.68 sec.
2. Sylviane Felix (FRA): 22.91 sec.
3. Lauren Hewitt (AUS): 23.23 sec.
4. Merlene Ottey (SLO): 23.38 sec.
5. Roxana Diaz (CUB): 23.41 sec.
6. Julia Alba (ESP): 24.03 sec.
7. Belen Recio (ESP): 24.07 sec.

Results from San Sebastian: http://www.european-athletics.org/res/meetings/meetres040703b.php

1 July 2004: Merlene Ottey to run at IAAF Super Grand Prix Lausanne
It has been confirmed that Merlene Ottey will run the 100 metres at the IAAF Super Grand Prix in Lausanne on 6 July. Merlene Ottey will be up against a fast field of young 100 metre runners – probably the best field so far this season:

Name

Season Best

Personal Best (Year)

Races

Debbie Ferguson (BAH) 11.10 10.91 (2002) No. 1: Nassau
Yuliya Nesterenko (BLR) 11.02 11.02 (2004) No. 1: Rethymno, Rome
Aleen Bailey (JAM) 11.19 11.07 (2003) No. 3: Jamaican Championships
Sherone Simpson (JAM) 11.01 11.01 (2004) No. 2 Jamaican Championships
Muriel Hurtis (FRA) 11.21 10.96 (2002) -
Merlene Ottey (SLO) 11.45 (11.15w) 10.74 (1996) No. 1: Hengelo, E-Cup (1st League)
Zhanna Block (UKR) 11.37 10.82 (2001) -
Christine Arron (FRA) 11.05 10.73 (1998) No. 1: Lille, E-Cup (Super League)

The meeting will be shown live on Eurosport on Tuesday starting at 20.00. The women’s 100 metres is scheduled at 21.30. There will be a press conference with athletes on 5 July 14.00 at Hotel Mövenpick in Lausanne. Some of the big names will take part – it is not yet known whether Merlene Ottey will be present.

26 June 2004: Merlene runs fastest 100 metre time in four years (11.15 sec.)
Merlene Ottey continue to improve her form, but still suffers from windy weather conditions in trying to qualify for the Olympic Games. At a meeting in Slovenian Maribor today, Merlene won the 100 metre race in 11.15 sec. which is below the Slovenian record by Alenka Bikar, but the wind was over the limit (+3.1). The time was also Merlene Ottey's fastest 100 metre race since running 11.08 sec. at the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000.

Merlene Ottey - Performances of 2004

Merlene Ottey - Seasons Bests (1975-2004)

In addition to the fine 100 metre victory Merlene Ottey also took the 200 metres in a legal 23.16 sec (wind: +1.0). Ottey stated after the races: "I am becoming better. At the European Cup I had some problems with the start. This time I was better and faster in this element in both races. The Olympic Games is the main goal for me, this is clear. I wish to get ready very well for the Olympic Games, therefore I need more races. I wish I would be faster over 200 metres for the next race. For races shorter than 200 metres I have to improve the speed especially at the training".

Source: http://sportal.siol.net/

[Thanks to Marjeta Bitjak for help with translations from Slovenian media reports]

25 June 2004: Merlene opts out of Slovenian meeting in Velenje
Due to chilly conditions Merlene Ottey decided not to compete today in Slovenia’s premiere annual athletics event (the ninth Minerfest EAA Meeting), in the athletics-crazed northern city of Velenje. In Ottey's absence Alenka Bikar showed good form. Two days after equalling her national record over the 200 metres (22.76 sec.) in Crete, Alenka Bikar was the easy winner in the short dash, clocking 11.32 sec., despite a cautious reaction after an initial false start. More at: http://www.iaaf.org/news/Kind=2/newsId=25745.html
News on Merlene’s participation at the meeting (22 June):
http://www.dnevnik.si/clanekb.asp?id=87059

19-20 June 2004: Ottey fight against the wind at the European Cup
Since Merlene Ottey's season debut she has been fighting to get the right wind conditions to run a legal time under the A or B norm for the Olympic Games. At the First League Group B of the Eurupean Cup in Istanbul (Turkey), Merlene Ottey was yet again bothered by the wind. She won the 100 metre race on Saturday in a fast wind-aided time of 11.22 sec (+3.7). Alenka Bikar won a 100 metre B heat in a wind-aided 11.20 sec (+4.5). Also on Saturday Merlene teamed up with Alenka Bikar, Marina Tomic and Radmila Vukmirovic to run the last leg in the 4 x 100 metre relay. In that race the Slovenians got second place behind the Netherlands. On Sunday Alenka Bikar won the 200 metres for Slovenia in a wind-aided 22.82 sec. Overall winner of the European Cup First League Group B was Italy. Slovenia was sixth and thereby just secured the country's place in the first league for another year.

100 metres (wind: 3.7):
1. Merlene Ottey (
SLO): 11.22 sec.
2.
Johanna Manninen (FIN): 11.33 sec.
3. Martina Feusi (S
UI) 11.36 sec.
200 metres (wind: +4.6):
1. Alenka Bikar (SLO): 22.82 sec.
2.
3.
4 x 100 metre relay:
1.
Netherlands: 44.47 sec..
2.
Slovenia: 44.57 sec.
3.
Italy: 44.67 sec.

Result (points): Italy (126.5), Finland (104), Hungary (101), Portugal (88), Netherlands (82), Slovenia (79), Switzerland (77) and Turkey (62.5).

Ottey was very satisfied since she for the second time in a row won for Slovenia at the European Cup. “With the Slovenian national team I have once again the feeling of my youth when I  represented the team of University of Nebraska (and Jamaica). Such type of competitions do motivate me since it is a special happening. I hope that I will continue so successfully the rest of my season.”
[Thanks to Marjeta Bitjak for help with translations from Slovenian media reports]

8 June 2004: European Cup preview
Merlene Ottey's next race will be at the European Cup First League (Group B) in Istanbul on 19-20 June. The women's competition will be between the following countries: Finland, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Switzerland and Turkey. The 100 metres and the 4 x 100 metre relay is scheduled for Saturday and the 200 metres for Sunday.

More at: www.ecistanbul2004.org

5-6 June 2004: Two wins for Ottey at Slovenian Cup
At the Slovenian Cup meeting between the best Slovenian athletics clubs
in Nova Gorica, Merlene Ottey wrapped up two wins on Saturday – one over 100 metres (11.45 sec.) and one in the short relay (45.74 sec.) with her teammates from the MASS Ljubljana club (Koštomaj, Žumer, Kop, Ottey). The 200 metres was contested on Sunday, but here Merlene Ottey was beaten into second by Alenka Bikar, which is the fastest Slovenian women over that distance this season. Overall winner of the Slovenian Cup was MASS Ljubljana.

100 metres:
1. Merlene Ottey (Mass): 11.45 sec.
2. Alenka Bikar (Oli): 11.55 sec.
3. Kristina Žumer (Mass): 11.81 sec.
200 metres:
1. Alenka Bikar (Oli): 23.45 sec.
2. Merlene Ottey (Mass): 23.54 sec.
3.
4 x 100 metre relay:
1. Mass Ljubljana: 45.74 sec.
2. Gorica
: 46.98 sec.
3. Kladivar Cetis: 48.23 sec.

1 June 2004: Ottey to run at Slovenian Cup over the weekend
At the end of the week Merlene Ottey will compete at the Slovenian Cup in Nova Gorica. Here she will also contest in the 4 x 100 metres, which she was also supposed to have run in Hengelo together with her Slovenian teammates. This did not happen because Kristina Žumer had muscle pains and Alenka Bikar cancelled the competition because of the European Club Cup in Moscow the same weekend. The normal fourht runner, Maja Nose, will not compete any more this season because of an operation she has had on her achilles.
[Thanks to Marjeta Bitjak for help with translations from Slovenian media reports on www.siol.net]

31 May 2004: Ottey wins Grand Prix race in Hengelo
Today Merlene Ottey once again showed that age is only a number and that she can still win races on the IAAF Grand Prix circuit. At the IAAF Grand Prix in Hengelo (Netherlands) Ottey won the 100 metre race in 11.35 sec. The time is below the Olympic B norm for the 100 metres (11.40 sec.), but once again Merlene Ottey was unfortunate that the wind (2.5) was over the allowed limit for legal times (2.0) in the sprints. Ottey was practically without any competitors as second placer Joan van den Akker was metres behind Ottey. She was a bit unsatisfied even before the race due to the rain and the heavy wind. Ottey was of the opinion that it would not be possible to run under 11.30 sec. (Olympic A norm) in such conditions, which she finds it difficult to adopt to.

Result of women’s 100 meters (wind: +2.5):
1. Merlene Ottey (SLO): 11.35 sec.
2. Joan van Akker (NED): 11.56 sec.
3. Lien Huyghebeart (BEL): 11.57 sec.
4. Pascal van Assendelft (NED): 11.64 sec.
5. Katleen De Caluwé (BEL): 11.71 sec.
6. Elodie Ouédraogo (BEL): 11.74 sec.
7. Audry Rochtus (BEL): 12.43 sec.
-. Kristina Žumer (SLO) DNS

More: http://www.iaaf.org/GP04/news/Kind=2/newsId=25432.html

26 May 2004: Interview with Merlene Ottey
Under the headline "Evergreen Merlene is preparing for the 7th Olympics" there has been a short report and interview with Merlene Ottey in the biggest Estonian newspaper, Postimees. With help from Estonian fanclub member Kalvi Noormägi a translation of Merlene's quotes is brougt below:

On the last few years of her career Ottey states: "After the nervous year and the Olympics, I needed some time to think about the future". "Now I want to represent my new homeland, Slovenia at the Olympics”. 
On her season debut over 100 metres in the USA: "I had very feeble start". "At the finish the distance between me and Jones was more than 2 meters. Last season I ran 100 metres in 11.22 sec. Considering that, it seems to me that I am able to achieve the norm for the Olympics".
Ottey says that she has no chance for a medal in Athens. "Maybe there will be so many false starts, that I will be the only one who is competing". "Sport gives me pleasure. As long as I enjoy the running, I will continue. I hope it’s not too late".

25 May 2004: Ottey returns to Slovenia
After some weeks of training and competition in the USA, Merlene has returned to Slovenia to prepare for the European outdoor season and most of all the Olympic Games in Athens.

22 May 2004: Ottey loses to Jones, but runs windy 11.31 sec.
Marion Jones came out on top in the first clash in almost four years between sprint queens Merlene Ottey and Marion Jones. At the Home Depot Invitational meeting in California Jones took a clear victory in 10.99w sec., while Ottey came fifth. In her first 100 metre race of the 2004 season Merlene Ottey ran close to the norm of 11.30 sec. that would qualify her for a record-breaking 7th Olympic Games. Although wind-aided the time of 11.31 promises more for the coming months.

Result of Verizon Women’s 100 meters (wind: +4.4):
1. Marion Jones (USA/Nike): 10.99w sec. (PB = 10.65A sec.)
2. Angela Daigle (USA/Nike): 11.17w sec. (PB = 11.27 sec.)
3. LaKeisha Backus (USA/US Army): 11.23w sec. (PB = 11.11 sec.)
4. Rachelle Boone (USA/Nike): 11.26w sec. (PB = 11.22 sec.)
5. Merlene Ottey (Slovenia): 11.31w sec. (PB = 10.74 sec.)
6. Lakeisha Givens (USA/unattached): 11.58w sec. (PB = 11.50 sec.)
7. Carmelita Jeter (USA/unattached): 11.73w sec. (PB = 11.43w sec.)

Full results

20 May 2004: Ottey vs. Jones in California
Almost four years after their last clash at the Sydney Olymics it is now time again for a battle over 100 metres between Merlene Ottey and Marion Jones. In Sydney Jones won the 100 metres and Ottey was fourth, but in the short relay final Ottey led Jamaica to silver on the last leg beating Jones into third. Merlene Ottey is still the only athlete to have beaten Marion Jones more than once at different individual races (Zürich and Tokyo in 1997).

This time the two big track stars will meet at the Home Depot Invitational meeting at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. They will compete in "VERIZON Women’s 100 meters". Ottey will be running in lane 4 alongside Jones in lane 5. Other participants in the race include LaKeisha Backus, Angela Daigle and Rachelle Boone - all Americans. Details at: http://www.usatf.org/events/2004/GoldenSpikeTour-Outdoor/MediaInfo/

After weeks of training in the USA Merlene Ottey is ready to run her first 100 metre race of this Olympic season. To qualify for a record-breaking 7th Olympic participation she will need to run 11.30 sec. over 100 metres and 22.97 sec. over 200 metres ("A" requirement).

10 May 2004: Merlene Ottey turns 44
Today Merlene turns 44 and she is in the middle of preparing for a new outdoor season, which will probably see her take part in a record-breaking 7th Olympic Games. So the Jamaican-turned-Slovenian has no plans to hang up her spikes just yet. "For me, running is like a job. I would rather be doing this than locked up in an office somewhere. For me it's like a cage," she told www.eurosport.com after last year's World Championships in Paris.

She is ready to run really fast again in 2004, but that her times can be considered other-worldly taking her age into consideration can be seen here at the WAVA Age-grading calculator - try for instance to insert her best 100 metre time from 2003 (11.22 sec.) and her age (43).

Merlene is training in the USA at the moment and has already run once at at the Triton Invitational and she might run at other meets in the USA before returning to Europe. There is no information yet on where Merlene Ottey will run her first race on the European circuit. In June Merlene may run for Slovenia at the European Cup 1st League in Carigrad on 19-20 June.

The following Grand Prix meetings will take place in June and might also be seeing Merlene Ottey: Golden Spike Ostrava (Czech Republic, 8 June), Bergen Bislett Games (Norway, 11 June), Norwich Union Super Grand Prix in Sheffield (Great Britain, 27 June), Memorial Odlozi Prague (Czech Republic, 28 June) and (Zagreb 2004 (Croatia, 29 June).

29 April 2004: Bikar tops European 200 metre list - Ottey is 7th
After her season opener of 23.84 sec. in California Merlene Ottey is ranked 7th over 200 metres on the European Rankings. The European list is topped by Merlene's Slovenian teammate Alenka Bikar, who ran 23.19 sec. at a meeting in Martinique.

24 April 2004: Merlene Ottey opens season with 23.84 sec.
San Diego's Monique Henderson lined up side-by-side with seven-time Olympic medallist Merlene Ottey in the women's 200-meter sprint at the Triton Invitational.
Henderson set a personal best with a time of 23.03 sec. leading from the start to beat Ottey, who followed in 23.84 sec. "It's always great to beat someone who's great, someone who has become a legend. It was fun", said Henderson, looking to return to the Olympics this year after representing the United States as a relay team member in 2000. Henderson, 21, entered yesterday's race without realizing she would be running against Ottey, 44, who won her first Olympic medal in 1980. A native of Jamaica, Ottey has acknowledged she is bidding for her final Olympics this year. "I didn't even know she was in the race until they announced it. I wanted to run a good time, but there was definitely a fear factor there", Henderson said. "I just tried to get out really hard. I know that I have strength coming home". (Source)

Result of women’s 200 meters (wind: 2.0):
1. Henderson, Monique (UCLA): 23.03 sec.
2. Ottey, Merlene (Slovenia): 23.84 sec.
3. Murphy, Catherine (Great Britain): 23.96 sec.
4. Zumer, Kristina (Slovenia): 24.14 sec.
5. Trent, Tia (High Performance): 24.91 sec.
6. Lott, Shakara (unattached): 24.94 sec.

Full results

22 April 2004: Merlene Ottey to open outdoor season in California
A stellar field, including seven-time Olympic Medallist Merlene Ottey, highlights this weekend's UCSD Triton Invitational taking place Friday and Saturday, April 23-24 at the Triton Track and Field Stadium (La Jolla, California). Over 800 athletes representing nearly 100 college and club teams as well national team members from several nations will compete on Friday and Saturday. Ottey will be running against a top field in the 200 meters, including Monique Henderson, former Morse High School standout from San Diego. Henderson is the National High School 400 Meter Record Holder and is currently attending UCLA.

22 March 2004: Latest world rankings
The latest IAAF World Rankings puts Merlene Ottey in 16th position over 100 metres, while Kelli White tops the list and newly crowned World Indoor Champion is on 8th place. The 6 best performances one year back of each athlete is used to calculate the event score. The following is registrered for Merlene Ottey: 

Date

Competition

Cnt.

Cat

Event

Ht.

Pl.

Result

Wind

R.S.

WR

Pl.S.

Pf.S.

12.06.2003

Ostrava Golden Spike

CZE

A

100m

F

5

11.41

- 0.2

1125

 

90

1216

22.06.2003

Velenje European Cup 1st League Gr.B

SLO

C

100m

F

1

11.25

- 0.5

1153

 

60

1216

07.07.2003

Zagreb IAAF Grand Prix

CRO

B

100m

F

1

11.42

0.0

1124

 

100

1224

31.07.2003

Linz Gugl−Meeting

AUT

B

100m

F

2

11.28

+ 0.3

1148

 

80

1227

24.08.2003

Paris−St−Denis IAAF World Championships

FRA

OW

100m

SF

10

11.26

+ 0.8

1151

 

90

1237

08.02.2004

Gent Flanders Indoor

BEL

B

60m ind.

F

3

7.26

 

1154

 

70

1224

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ranking Score: 1224

Over 200 metres Merlene Ottey is featured as no. 20 with the following performances:

Date

Competition

Cnt.

Cat

Event

Ht.

Pl.

Result

Wind

R.S.

WR

Pl.S.

Pf.S.

22.06.2003

Velenje European Cup 1st League Gr.B

SLO

C

200m

F

2

23.06

+ 0.6

1148

 

50

1195

31.07.2003

Linz Gugl−Meeting

AUT

B

200m

F

2

22.98

0.0

1154

 

80

1234

02.08.2003

Ebensee Norbert Ippisch Memorial

AUT

E

200m

F

1

23.31

- 0.7

1129

 

25

1158

10.08.2003

Nova Gorica Slovenian Ch.

SLO

C

200m

F

1

22.89

0.0

1161

 

60

1221

26.08.2003

Paris−St−Denis IAAF World Championships

FRA

OW

200m

QF

5

23.22

0.0

1136

 

0

1136

05.09.2003

Bruxelles Memorial Van Damme

BEL

GL

200m

F

3

23.08

+ 0.7

1146

 

130

1272

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ranking Score: 1202

The Top 5's look like this:

100 metres 200 metres
1. (1.) Kelli WHITE 77 USA 1387 points
2. (2.) Chandra STURRUP 71 BAH 1367
points
3. (3.) Chryste GAINES 70 USA 1354
points
4. (4.) Torri EDWARDS 77 USA 1345
points
5. (5.) Christine ARRON 73 FRA 1330
points
1. (1.) Kelli WHITE 77 USA 1360 points
2. (2.) Anastasiya KAPACHINSKAYA 79 RUS 1345
points
3. (3.) Torri EDWARDS 77 USA 1314
points
4. (4.) Muriel HURTIS 79 FRA 1311
points
5. (5.) Natalya SAFRONNIKOVA 73 BLR 1293
points

11 March 2004: Interview with Merlene Ottey
43-year old Jamaican legend Merlene Ottey is attempting to repeat her accomplishment from last years Championship in Birmingham, where she finished 4.th at 60 m race. She says she is not prepared as she was for Birmingham, which seems to be normal, as many top ranked athletes focuses on Olympics in Athens in August this year. Yet, the Jamaican born Slovene is our only hope for an echoing achievement at 60 m in Budapest, since she already has a 7,26 this season, which is only 6/100 slower than her finale race in Birmingham.

What do you as an Ambassador of Sport think of doping affairs that have become so common lately. How do you feel this is going to affect the sports community in common?
I think this is the good policy of the IAAF to be so strict and rigorous regarding the drug abuse. I think that punishing Dwain Chambers and some American athletes was correct action of the IAAF. What is more worrying is that the fact that so many sportsmen got "caught", proves that control is getting better and better and it became significantly more efficient than some 20 years ago. Little was known at that time, yet many abuses took part. Looking at the latest affairs from that point of view I think it can only have a positive impact on the sports community.

Can we expect more rigorous and more efficient control over drug abuse at this World Championship and at the Olympic Games? More controlling, perhaps?
I don't think so. The control is being strict and accurate enough at the time being. Affairs we were hearing about in the near past proves it. However, everything is possible. We shall see soon. We only need to wait a few weeks to see.

What are your expectations at the end of this winter part of the Season. Are you capable of repeating the Birmingham accomplishment? Can you improve your fourth place at 60 m?
Oh, I really don't know. At present I'm not as fast as I used to be last year at the same time. I have some trouble improving my techniques and all I wish is to be able to finally get rid of that problems. I will most certainly try to qualify for the second race, possibly even into finals. We'll see. At 60 m race where only one false start is allowed it all depends on your daily shape. I hope I'll have a good one in Budapest.

You are probably focusing on the summer season, especially on the greatest event of all the sport events - Olympic Games in Athens, don't you?
Of course!. This season, as well as in the past few seasons I'm focusing on 200 m race mostly. I'm convinced I can still be very fast at this distance and achieve a good results. That is why I concentrated mostly on preparing for the 200 m race during this Winter. Despite the fact, that I don't like running the indoor curves at all, I have competed indoors 200 m as well for one reason only. I wanted to start my preparation at this distance as soon as possible, just to gain enough self-confidence I have lost in the past season for well known reasons.

Is it hard to be in a top shape in the season with two tops required? This week you have World Championship while the Olympic Games are coming soon as well.
To tell you the truth - it is even better and easier for me. It's really refreshing, especially at the 60 m distance which is not ran outdoors. After the World Championship on March 7.th, the winter season ends and I can start preparing for my main events outdoors. The Indoors season is important, of course, but not as much as the Outdoors one. Many athletes simply ignore the indoors competitions - in Birmingham, last year there were no 60 m top ranked athletes at all. The fact is, however, that running well indoors doesn't mean you'll be running as fast outdoors, while vice versa is true, too. World Champions at 60 m, both male and female, didn't show up in Birmingham last year at all.

Simon Kavčič - for Siol (translated by Edvard Bogataj)

5 March 2004: Ottey out in the semifinal of the World Indoor Championships
History repeated itself as Merlene Ottey again was left behind after a photo finish decision in a major championship. In the semifinals of the women's 60 metres at the World Indoor Championships she had the 8th fastest time (7.21 sec.) shared with American Torri Edwards, who ran in one of the other semifinals. After a review of the photo finish Edwards was given the place in the final although it was initially anounced on TV that Merlene Ottey had been given the spot. In the morning's heat Merlene finished second to 37 year old veteran Gail Devers, who later went on to win the final.

Women 60 metre final:
1. Gail Devers (
USA): 7.08 sec. (SB)
2. Kim
 Gevaert Kim BEL 7.12 sec (NR)
3. Yuliya Nesterenko (BLR): 7.12 sec.
4. Torri
 Edwards (USA): 7.16 sec.
5. Muriel
Hurtis (FRA): 7.17 sec (SB)
6. Yuliya T
abakova (RUS): 7.17 sec.
7. Christine Arron (FRA): 7.21 sec.
8. Natalya
Safronnikova (BLR): 7.23 sec.

Results from Budapest World Indoor Championships:

Women 60 metre semifinal 3:
1.
Christine Arron (FRA) 7.14 sec.
2. Natalya Safronnikova  (BLR) 7.18 sec.
3. Merlene Ottey  (SLO) 7.21 sec.
4. Debbie Ferguson  (BAH) 7.32 sec.
5.
Yeoryía Koklóni (GRE) 7.33 sec.
6.
Joice Maduaka (GBR) 7.36 sec.
7. Enikö Szabo (HUN) 7.40 sec.
8. Kadiatou Camara (MLI) 7.47 sec.

Women 60 metre heat 5:
1. Gail
Devers (USA) 7.15 sec.
2. Merlene Ottey (SLO) 7.27 sec.
3. Natalya Safronnikova (BLR) 7.32 sec.
4. Enikö Szabó (HUN) 7.37 sec.
5. Agné Eggerth (LTU) 7.42 sec.
6. Endurance Ojokolo (NGR) 7.44 sec.
7. A. M. de Jesus (ANG) 7.75 sec.
8. Heather Samuel (ANT) DNS

Other results

Photo finish from the womens semifinal heat 3 (Ottey third)

 

4 March 2004: IAAF World Indoor Championships (Budapest)
Merlene Ottey will be in action on the first day of the World Indoor Championship in the 60 metres. The time schedule for this event is as follows:
  9:30 Women 60 metres HEATS           
18:30 Women 60
metres SEMI-FINAL                     
19:50 Women 60
metres FINAL  
The following women can be considered top favourites for the event with season's bests in (): Yuliya Tabakova (7.06), Christine Arron (7.08), Gail Devers (7.10), Torri Edwards (7.12) and Kim Gevaert (7.13). Merlene Ottey is entered in the event not among the 15 fastest - her season best time of  7.26 sec. makes her no. 26 on the 2004 world list.

Live transmission on Eurosport starts at 9.30

Results from Budapest 

10th IAAF World Indoor Championships- Budapest 2004 Local Organising Committee web site

28 February 2004: Slovenian team for the IAAF World Indoor Championships
Merlene Ottey and Jolanda Ceplak will lead the Slovenian contingent for the World Indoor Championship in Budapest, Hungary, 5-7 March 2004. 43-year-old Merlene Ottey is entered in the 60 metres, where she was a fourth place finisher in 2003. She is no stranger to global championships held in Budapest. When Budapest hosted the second World Indoor Championships in 1989, Ottey dashed to a stunning win in the 200 metres, and claimed silver over 60 metres. Also entered in the 60 metres together with Ottey is Alenka Bikar. (Source: IAAF article)

Official document (from the Slovenian Athletics Federation) with the full Slovenian team.

21 February 2004: Ottey wins indoor 60 metres in Slovenia
At a meeting in Sempeter pri Gorici (Slovenia) Merlene Ottey ran the second fastest indoor 60 metres ever run in Slovenia, when winning the race in 7.26 sec (fastest race is 7.25 sec. run by Jerneja Perc). Ottey said that she was partly satisfied with her race although the result will not get her into the final in Budapest (World Indoor Champs). She admits she still has some technical difficulties that need to be improved over the next couple of weeks. Merlene's coach said that she gets up to early from the start position and she is not able to use all her energy towards the end of the race. On her upcoming participation in the World Indoor Championship Merlene Ottey was humble as usual, when stating: "I will run the 60 metres and I hope I can get to the final. I run as well as I can".

1. Merlene Ottey (Mass) 7.26 sec.
2.
Kristina Žumer (Mass) 7.44 sec.
3. Radmila Vukmirovič (Gor) 7
.56 sec.
4.
Pia Tajnikar (Mass) 7.77 sec.
5. Marina Tomič (Kla) 7.82 sec.
3. Urška Kop (Mass) 7.90 sec.

Source: http://www.siol.net

 

15 February 2004: Ottey in Karlsruhe meeting
Merlene Ottey was not able to improve on her time from Ghent (7.26 sec.) when running today at the LBBW-Meeting in Karlsruhe, Germany. She came close though by running in 7.27 sec. in the heat and 7.29 sec. in the final, where she finished 6th. Ottey has no current plans to run again before the World Indoor Championships in Budapest in March.

60 meter Women Final (Time: 15:51):
1. Kim Gevaert (BEL): 7.14 sec.
2. Natallia Safronikova (RUS): 7.15 sec.
3. Virgin Benavides (CUB): 7.16 sec
4. Karin Mayr (AUT): 7.22 sec.
5. Manuela Levorato (ITA): 7.22 sec.
6. Merlene Ottey (SLO): 7.29 sec.

60 meter Women Heat 1
1
. Virgin Benavides (CUB): 7.24 sec.
2
. Manuela Levorato (ITA): 7.24 sec.
3. Merlene Ottey (SLO) 7.27 sec.
4. Sina Schielke (GER): 7.31 sec.
5. Sylviane Felix (FRA): 7.35 sec.
6. Alice Reuss (GER): 7.57 sec.

 

10 February 2004: Ottey no. 17 on the season list
With her third place time of 7.26 sec. at the Flanders Indoor 2004 meeting on Sunday, Merlene places 17th on the 60 metres list for 2004. The two fastest women so far this season is Yuliya Nesterenko (BLR) and Yuliya Tabakova (RUS), who both ran 7.13 sec. 

8 February 2004: Ottey comes third in season debut
Merlene Ottey opened her 2004 indoor season today at the Flanders Indoor 2004 meeting in Gent (Belgium). In the heat of the 60 metre race she finished third behind Natallia Safronikova (7.24 sec.) and Manuela Levorato (7.28 sec.). The same three women were first in the final. This time with Levorato leading from start to finish holding off the late pressure from Safronikova and Ottey (see report). It was a better season opener for Merlene than in 2003 when she ran 7.39 sec. and 7.30 sec. in her first two races.
 

 

60 meter Women Final (Time: 15:51):
1
. Manuela Levorato (ITA) 7.21 sec.
2
. Natallia Safronikova (RUS) 7.24 sec.
3. Merlene Ottey (SLO) 7.26 sec.
4. Johanna Manninen (FIN) 7.28 sec.
5. Endurance Ojokolo (NGR) 7.32 sec.
6. Katleen de Caluwe (BEL) 7.39 sec.
7. Olivia Borlee (BEL) 7.46 sec.
8. Joan van den Akker (NED) 7.51 sec.

60 meter Women Heat 1 (Time: 14:47):
1
. Natallia Safronikova (RUS) 7.24 sec.
2
. Manuela Levorato (ITA) 7.28 sec.
3. Merlene Ottey (SLO) 7.29 sec.
4. Joan van den Akker (NED) 7.49 sec.
5. Lien Huygebaert (BEL) 7.50 sec.
6. Audrey Rochtus (BEL) 7.78 sec.

 

 

3 February 2004: Ottey to run in Ghent
Merlene Ottey will run the Flanders Indoor 2004 meeting in Ghent the coming Sunday. On the start list will also be the fastest woman so far this season Yulia Tabakova of Russia (7.13 sec.) and home favourite Kim Gevaert. Last year at the Energizer Euroseries meeting in Ghent Merlene Ottey won her heat (7.23 sec.) and finished second (7.18 sec.) to Zhanna Block in the final.

1 February 2004: Cancellation of Moscow race
Merlene Ottey has cancelled her season debut at the Russian Winter meeting in Moscow today. 

22 January 2004: Season debut in Moscow
While training in Malta Merlene Ottey has expressed her plans to run her first indoor race of the season at the IAAF Permit Indoor Meeting, Russian Winter, in Moscow (Russia) on Sunday 1 February 2004. Later there might be races at other big meetings on the indoor circuit. At the end of the indoor season she hopes to compete the 60-metre sprint event at the 10th World Indoor Championship in Budapest (Hungary) between 5 and 7 March 2004.

 

15 January 2004: Merlene Ottey interview in Times of Malta
In today's edition of Times of Malta today Merlene Ottey has been interviewed by Paul Grech about her views on the 2004 season and her career in general. Among other things Ottey states the following on it feels to run against much younger athletes: "It doesn't bother me at all," she replied. "I set my own goals and focus on what my goals are, not the others. Obviously, to compete with the best in the world is an extra bonus. I'm glad that I'm 43 and can still beat them!"
    
    Still, it is difficult to imagine what could motivate an athlete who has won practically everything there is to win. "This is why I set my own goals," she explains. "People always say that after a certain age you cannot do certain things. So, I set my own goals and see how fast I can run at 43. And this is what motivates me."
       
In particular, she wants to do well at the coming Olympics. "Every time I've been to an Olympics I'm asked whether I'll be there the next time. I want to go to Athens because I'm running for a new country and this was what pushed me towards going to another Olympics."
   
     Eventually it will be the turn of the Olympics, after which the debate about Ottey's future in the sport will start all over again. "Actually, I thought about stopping in the early 90s. My first time that I wanted to quit was after the '84 Olympics. At the time, people thought that if you were 25 you were too old. But then I ran my best right after. I thought that if I'm the no.1 in the world then why should I stop? You cannot stop when you're no.1. That's what always happened to me. Every year, I was always first, second or third and I couldn't stop. Now, I have it in me to run because it is for a different country, it is a different Merlene and it is a bigger challenge for me. So, if I had one season where I felt that I had done everything possible and I've done everything I could do, then perhaps I will stop."

(Full article from Times of Malta)

Merlene training in Malta

 
9 January 2004: Merlene in training camp in Malta
Merlene Ottey is currently in Malta for a two-week training camp as part of her preparations for the start of the athletics season. Ottey is scheduled to leave Malta on January 23. This is her first visit to Malta and her first impressions are extremely positive. "I'm really pleased with what I have found here in Malta," Ottey told The Malta Times on 9 January after a training session at the Marsa athletic track. "The training facilities at the Fortina Hotel are outstanding and the athletics track in Marsa is very good as well. It's a pity that not many top athletes are aware of what Malta can offer. After this visit, I will be doing my part to lure other athletes to this beautiful island," Ottey added.
Ottey came to know about the athletics facilities in Malta during the World Athletics Championships held in Paris last August. "Everything started last August in Paris. I was talking with some athletes and officials from the Malta Amateur Athletics Association (MAAA) about Malta. It was they who urged me to consider Malta as a possible training camp venue during winter. During this time of the year, I normally choose training venues where there are mild temperatures as I kick off my preparations for the indoor season. Usually, I end up travelling as far as the US, in either Florida or California. Malta is a much nearer destination and when the chance came, I definitely preferred to make the shorter trip to the centre of the Mediterranean... a decision I am delighted to have made."
Ottey said that her first official competitive appearance this season will be on February 1 when she will take part in the Moscow Indoor meeting. "My first aim of the season is to get in shape for the 60-metre sprint event at the Indoor World Championship, which will be held in Budapest, Hungary in the first week of March. I'm pleased about how my preparations are going at the moment and hopefully I will go into the World Indoor Championship in top shape."

(Full article from Times of Malta)

1 January 2004: Main goal for Merlene is Athens
Ahead of the 2004 athletics season Merlene Ottey has stated: "Athens is still my main goal of the season. Although I have been in the business for over 20 years, the hunger to collect an Olympic medal is still there. I just hope to be able to maintain my fitness and sharpness to arrive for this prestigious event in top form."

Ottey at the 1995 World Champs in Gothenburg

 

2003 portrait of Merlene Ottey

 


Slovenian Athletics Federation (AZS)


Merlene Ottey in Slovenia

 

News from the year 2003 can be read at: jmno-news2003.htm

___

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