Athletics Hero: Merlene Ottey

Full name: Merlene Joyce Ottey
Nationality: Jamaica/Slovenia
Gender: Female
Date of birth: May 10, 1960
Place of Birth: Hanover, Jamaica
Height: 173cm
Weight: 59kg
Events: 100m, 200m, 4x100m

Marlene Ottey is a Jamaican-born sprinter. She became a Slovenian citizen in 2002, and now resides in Ljubljana, where she represents her new country in international events. Ottey began her career representing Jamaica in late 1970's to 2001. She is ranked fourth on the all-time list of female performers in the 100 meters and third in the 200 meters.

Ottey holds the record for being the oldest track medalist ever, for running the fastest Women's Indoor 200 metres (in 21.87 seconds). She is also the fastest in the world among all female athletes over 30. She has recorded the fastest time for any female athlete at age 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 and age 44. For having the most Olympic appearances (seven) than any other track and field athlete, and for having the most women's World Championships medals (fourteen)Her career achievements and longevity have led to her being called the "Queen of the Track".

ACHIEVEMENTS:

Medals at Olympic Games: 8
Medals at World Outdoor Championships: 14
Medals at World Indoor Championships: 6

Personal Records:
60 metres: 6.96s (1992)
100 metres: 10.74s (1996)
200 metres: 21.64s (1991)

Run sub-11 of 100metres: 67
Run sub-22 of 200metres: 16

World Records/bests:

200m (indoor): 21.87s
300m (indoor): 35.83s
150m (outdoor): 16.46s
100m (age record): 14 30-44 years
200m (age record): 12 30-43

Unbeaten in 57 100 metre finals (1987-1991)
Unbeaten in 36 200 metre finals (1989-1991)