"Running fast is my passion, fashion my challenge for the future"
(Merlene Ottey quoted from the homepage of her former management firm, FKG)

Merlene's interview for E-sport Magazine in May 2002

When receiving Slovenian citizenship for her birthday in May 2002, Merlene said in one of many interviews: "I have no firm plans for the future, but one thing is certain: After The Olympic Games in Athens 2004 I will no more be competing as a sprinter..."

Does it tell you enough?

Merlene's hand written Message from her Press Conference in Ljubljana on  July 5.th 2000

"It has been one year of stress, but thankfully it's finally over - we won.

Many many thanks to all my Fans for your support and confidence in me. I am very happy that I will be back racing soon, hopefully my presence and results will continue to thrill you.

All the very best - Merlene Ottey".

to the left is a small image of Merlene's genuine hand writing - her statement that she wrote for all her fans Worldwide to my wish at the Press Conference held in Grand Hotel Union in Ljubljana on July 5. 2000. The small photo to the right shows her while writing this statement. click on any of them to enlarge.

There is also a full report from her Press Conference available as well.

Merlene after being acquitted of all drug charges by an IAAF Arbitration Panel (3 July 2000):
"I am very relieved and happy about this ruling. It confirms my innocence once again. It has been a difficult and emotionally draining time for me. However, I have been training well in preparation for the Olympic Games in Sydney and I am looking forward to my first competition. I would like to thank my defence team and all the people around the world and at home in Jamaica who have supported me during this difficult time.

Coach Srdjan Djordjevic on Merlene Ottey's image after her acquittal (4 July 2000):
"After building an image for 20 years the damage that has been done in the past year is irreparable". 

Merlene Ottey on the BBC One Show "Onside" (3 May 2000):
"I am going to keep on training and hoping I will have the opportunity to be in Sydney".
"I have decided that this year will be my last year and hopefully I will get the chance to have this dream come true to run in Sydney and then retire".

On the fact that IAAF has not yet set a date for the hearing at the IAAF Arbitration Panel:
"I think if they really want to hurt me they could wait until the (Olympic) 100 metres is finished. But they could give me a date as early as next week. I am hoping I will get one soon and my attorney is pushing for an early date".

Ottey at the Nebraska's 25th Anniversary of Women's Athletics Celebration (30 April 2000):
"Nebraska taught me self-esteem, determination, honesty and the will to fight. Because of my time in Nebraska, whenever I faced tough tests over the years I was able to keep on fighting. Nothing is too strong or too hard for me to overcome".

Merlene Ottey after being acquitted of all doping charges by JAAA (13 November 1999): 
“I am very relieved and happy about this ruling that confirms my innocence. It has been a difficult time for me and I am looking forward to competing again.  I would like to thank my defence team and all the people around the world and here in Jamaica that have supported me during the last three months.“

Merlene on continuing her career in 1998:
"Es macht weiterhin so viel Spaß, daß ich nicht aufhören kann. Ich brauche diese Atmosphäre. Und ich bin auch noch zu jung für die Rente."

Merlene Ottey after the World Championships in Athens 1997:
"Ich bin sicher auch im nächsten Jahr noch einmal dabei. Es gibt so viele Leute, die mich unterstützen. Sie können mich zwar nicht zum Sieg tragen, aber ich möchte sie noch nicht missen."

Ottey on the 3 minute standing ovation in Stuttgart 1993 after winning the 200 metre gold:
"I believe it was because I was the one always there, always trying, always doing my best. I wouldn't quit" (having lost to Gail Devers by 0.001 seconds in the World Championship 100 metre final, Ottey took the 200 metre title to be acclaimed with the longest standing ovation anybody could recall). 

Merlene Ottey on running against Eastern bloc athletes in the Eighties:
"When the Wall came down, I felt a lot better. It made me look at some of my bronze medals and wonder what they were really worth."

Merlene's handwritten statement - Ljubljana, July 5.2000