SYDNEY -
NATIONAL 100 metres champion Peta-Gaye Dowdie, the athlete at the centre of a placard-bearing demonstration here on Monday, September 18, will not compete at the Sydney 2000 Games.
Dowdie told Jamaica Olympic Association officials here yesterday she wanted to withdraw from the women's 4x100 metres relay.
Chef de mission Don Anderson told the Gleaner he had spoken to Dowdie.
"We have a verbal acknowledgement from Peta-Gaye (Dowdie) that she would like to withdraw from the women's 4x100m squad. She will stay with the Jamaica team to give support to the rest of the athletes until the end of the Games," Anderson said.
Dowdie, who has done only light training since she has been here, is said to be carrying an injury. While officially the managers here are saying that her reason for withdrawing is a psychological problem, at least one member of the coaching staff has revealed she has a knee injury and it would be risky to put her on the relay.
The other members of the sprint relay squad, Merlene Ottey, 100 metres bronze medallist Tayna Lawrence, Veronica Campbell, Merlene Fraser, Astia Walker and Beverly McDonald have been practicing baton changes regularly. With Ottey, Lawrence and McDonald running very well here it is felt that Jamaica could upset the mighty United States and win the gold medal.
Elton Tucker
