| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Tillamawnin
Moderator
USA
197 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 13 2001 : 7:04:26 PM
|
Ottey ... will not compete at World Championships.
VETERAN sprinter Merlene Ottey will not compete at the eighth IAAF World Championships in Edmonton, Canada.
Ottey's manager, Daniel Zimmerman, said yesterday his 41-year-old charge was not planning on competing at the World Championships because of "personal reasons".
Speaking from California yesterday Zimmerman said Ottey ruled herself out mainly because of the protest against her inclusion ahead of 100 metres champion Peta-Gaye Dowdie in the sprint race at last year's Sydney Olympics.
He also said she may not have been able to endure the rounds at the championships because of her age.
"After what happened in Sydney (Olympics) ... she does not necessarily want to go back," said Zimmerman. "Having half the team protesting doesn't make you feel motivated. And running the rounds may be tough on her body at this age."
Ottey went on to place fourth in the Sydney 100m final - in her sixth Olympic Games.
He said Ottey's decision not to run was not based on hamstring and gluteus muscle injuries she aggravated while warming up at an indoor track meet in Belgium in February. She subsequently withdrew from the 60m there.
Ottey will miss her second consecutive World Champion-ships, an event from which she has garnered 14 medals since its inception in 1983.
She withdrew on the eve of the 1999 World Championships in Seville, Spain after it was disclosed that she tested positive for the banned steroid, nandrolone.
The Jamaican Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA) also confirmed yesterday Ottey and Dowdie had not registered for next week's National Senior and Junior Athletics Champion-ships to select the Jamaica team for several upcoming meets.
Dowdie suffered a knee injury earlier this year and it is understood she hasn't fully recovered.
Patrick Anderson, president of the JAAA, was in the dark when contacted about Ottey's decision.
"She hasn't told us ... I don't read everything and I don't see everything," said Anderson who added Ottey's absence from the National Trials would provide an opportunity for one of the younger athletes to fill the gap.
By Merrick Andrews, Staff Reporter
©Copyright 2000 Gleaner Company Ltd. |
|
|
ZEBMASTER
Starting Member
USA
1 Posts |
Posted - Jun 14 2001 : 6:45:04 PM
|
Miss Ottey has serve us well over the years,now it's time for she and us to move on. However I'm very upset that she does not has the type of relationship with the country that someone of her status should have after representing us for so many years. Apart from the occasional visit will Miss Ottey ever be apart of Jamaica athletics again?... answer: I doubt it.
|
 |
|
|
Barry
Starting Member
USA
8 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2001 : 12:18:04 PM
|
Can't blame Ottey for not wanting to represent Jamaica... the team dissed her at the Olympics... she also needs to try and establish a positve relationship with the people of Jamaica because they do not deserve her estrangement... the Jamaican people have steadfastly supported her during her career... her issue should not be with the people of Jamaica, it should be with the selfish and ungrateful athletes that dissed her at the Sydney Games.quote:
Ottey ... will not compete at World Championships.
VETERAN sprinter Merlene Ottey will not compete at the eighth IAAF World Championships in Edmonton, Canada.
Ottey's manager, Daniel Zimmerman, said yesterday his 41-year-old charge was not planning on competing at the World Championships because of "personal reasons".
Speaking from California yesterday Zimmerman said Ottey ruled herself out mainly because of the protest against her inclusion ahead of 100 metres champion Peta-Gaye Dowdie in the sprint race at last year's Sydney Olympics.
He also said she may not have been able to endure the rounds at the championships because of her age.
"After what happened in Sydney (Olympics) ... she does not necessarily want to go back," said Zimmerman. "Having half the team protesting doesn't make you feel motivated. And running the rounds may be tough on her body at this age."
Ottey went on to place fourth in the Sydney 100m final - in her sixth Olympic Games.
He said Ottey's decision not to run was not based on hamstring and gluteus muscle injuries she aggravated while warming up at an indoor track meet in Belgium in February. She subsequently withdrew from the 60m there.
Ottey will miss her second consecutive World Champion-ships, an event from which she has garnered 14 medals since its inception in 1983.
She withdrew on the eve of the 1999 World Championships in Seville, Spain after it was disclosed that she tested positive for the banned steroid, nandrolone.
The Jamaican Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA) also confirmed yesterday Ottey and Dowdie had not registered for next week's National Senior and Junior Athletics Champion-ships to select the Jamaica team for several upcoming meets.
Dowdie suffered a knee injury earlier this year and it is understood she hasn't fully recovered.
Patrick Anderson, president of the JAAA, was in the dark when contacted about Ottey's decision.
"She hasn't told us ... I don't read everything and I don't see everything," said Anderson who added Ottey's absence from the National Trials would provide an opportunity for one of the younger athletes to fill the gap.
By Merrick Andrews, Staff Reporter
©Copyright 2000 Gleaner Company Ltd.
|
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
Topic Locked
