Legendary sprinter Merlene Ottey will make her 7^th appearance at the Olympic Games in Athens, which would be a historic achievement done by no one else before in Olympic history. Competing for the 7th time and at the age of 44 would be record-breaking and confirms her status as one of the greatest athletes in history. At 44 no athlete – neither male nor female – is competing at this level. Asked how she is able to keep competing Merlene Ottey states: “Sometimes it’s very hard, but I never have had a motivation crisis. I am very devoted. Sometimes I am sad if I have to stop training because I’m weary. If I fulfil my training schedule, I am very happy. 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 44. And this is what motivates me”.

For the first time she will represent her new home country, Slovenia, at the Olympic Games. The prior six times she represented Jamaica. Merlene Ottey has lived in the Slovenian capital of Ljubliana since 1998 and was granted Slovenian citizenship on 7 May 2002. Back then she said: “I am very happy to have found a new home in Europe. I have been living in Europe for more than 10 years and decided that Slovenia is the right place for me in the future. This is a small place like Jamaica and I like the lifestyle here. I am honored to be a citizen of this country but will never forget my Jamaican origin”.

Merlene Ottey, who has turned the women’s sprint into her own marathon, took part in her first Olympic Games in 1980 in Moscow and won a bronze medal. She recollects: “I have many good memories, but one of them stands out – my first Olympic race in Moscow in 1980. That will always be my favourite”. In her Olympic career Merlene Ottey has already won 8 medals, which is the most by a female track and field athlete. Furthermore she has 20 medals from World Championships (14 outdoors and 6 indoors). Over her career now spanning an amazing 25 years she has won 46 medals in total – also a record. At the peak of her career, Ottey was simply unbeatable. Between September 1987 and August 1991 she was first in 57 consecutive finals in the 100 metres while in the 200 metres, she went 36 finals without losing between 1989 and 1991.

On competing in Athens she says: “It is 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. As long as I can be competitive and have fun, I will continue. At the moment I am not thinking of ending my career. I've been through many ups and downs and I had always been strong enough to come back. So I am not saying goodbye in Athens!”

2004 Interview with Merlene Ottey: www.merlene.subnet.dk/2004interview.htm

For the Olympic Games Merlene Ottey will launch a new clothing line (with sports and casual wear) called OTTEY by pamp. For a preview go to her website (www.merlene.subnet.dk/otteylatest.htm) or await the announcement at www.otteybypamp.com.
 

In 2004 Merlene has set a new Slovenian record with 11.09 sec. over 100 metres. At 200 metres her season’s best is 22.90 sec. She will run both the 100 and 200 metres in Athens.

Personal Bests:
  60 metres:   6.96 sec. (14 February 1996; Madrid, Spain)
100 metres: 10.74 sec. (7 September 1996; Milan, Italy)
200 metres: 21.64 sec. (13 September 1991; Brussels, Belgium 

Season Bests:
  60 metres:   7.21 sec. (5 March 2004; Budapest, Hungary)
100 metres: 11.09 sec. (3 August 2004; Liege, Belgium)
200 metres: 22.90 sec. (17 July 2004; Madrid, Spain)

Medal history:

Olympic Games (8)
3 silver   1996: 100 m, 200 m; 2000: 4 x 100 m
5 bronze 1980: 200 m; 1984: 100 m, 200 m; 1992: 200 m; 1996: 4 x 100 m

World Championships outdoors (14)
3 gold     1991: 4 x 100 m; 1993: 200 m; 1995: 200 m
4 silver   1983: 200 m; 1993: 100 m; 1995: 100 m, 4 x 100 m
7 bronze 1983: 4x100 m; 1987: 100 m, 200 m; 1991: 100 m, 200 m, 1993: 4x100 m; 1997: 200 m

World Championships indoors (6)
3 gold     1989: 200 m; 1991: 200 m; 1995: 60 m
2 silver   1987: 200 m; 1991: 60 m
1 bronze 1989: 60 m