 Ottey is now competing for Slovenia |
Veteran Merlene Ottey is ready to prove she is still a class act when she competes at her seventh Olympic Games. The former Jamaica athlete, who became a Slovenian citizen two years ago, won Tuesday's 100m race at Liege in 11.09 seconds, her fastest time since 2000.
"Some Jamaicans said 'you're too old'. I thought, if I'm too old I'll find another country," said the 44-year-old.
"Slovenia doesn't mind if you're 25 or 43. If you're good enough there's no question about it."
Ottey has never won an Olympic gold despite having collected eight medals from the Games, the first coming at Moscow 1980 where she picked up a bronze.
She has also won 14 World Championship medals, including two 200m golds.
A positive drug test almost ended the former Jamaica athlete's career in July 1999.
Ottey subsequently missed the World Championships in Seville that year, but later took legal action and won her case on technicalities.
MMIX
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