Merlene Ottey
GOTHENBURG, Sweden (Reuters):
MERLENE OTTEY rolled back the years to qualify for the semi-finals of the women's 100 metres as she showed age was no barrier to success yesterday.
Ottey, still going strong at 46, tied up late in her heat but finished third to qualify for yesterday's semi-finals and equalled her own world age group record with a time of 11.41 seconds.
"It is a good feeling to be at my first European championships outdoors, but again I must say it is a pity I am not faster," said the former Jamaican sprinter, who now competes for Slovenia.
Belgium's Kim Gevaert was the quickest in qualifying with 11.19 to qualify easily for the semi-finals.
"Everybody in my tiny country expects a gold medal from me, but I keep reminding myself that this is only sports," the double silver medallist from 2002 said.
In the women's discus another 'oldie', 38-year-old world champion Franka Dietzsch of Germany, topped qualifying with 65.93m.
She will be joined in tomorrow's final by Olympic bronze medallist Iryna Yatchenko, 40, and twice world champion Ellina Zvereva of Belarus, who is 45.
