Jamaican athletes protest over Ottey inclusion

Sydney: Jamaican athletes protested in the Olympic village on Monday after reports that Merlene Ottey had been included in the women's 100 metres team.

Ottey, 40, missed out on an automatic Olympic place when she finished fourth in July's Jamaican trials behind Peta-Gaye Dowdie, Beverly McDonald and Tanya Lawrence.

A sign reading ''Merlene out, Peta-Gaye in. No relays'' was displayed in the window of a Jamaican athlete's room. Other athletes carried placards demanding Ottey's exclusion.

No Jamaican officials were available for comment. Ottey, who has run in five Olympic Games and won more world championships medals than any other athlete, returned to competition this year after the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) arbitration panel lifted a drugs ban.

She had tested positive for the anabolic steroid nandrolone just before last August's Seville World Championships.



(c) Reuters Limited.