JamaicaBiography
One of the all-time greats in women's sprinting. Most-attended Olympic athlete in track and field history with seven appearances (1980 to 2004). Ottey is member of elite quartet which owns 20 or more big medals (Olympics&World) alongside with Carl Lewis, Usain Bolt and Allyson Felix.
Inspired by Don Quarrie at Montreal 1976 Games, started seriously athletics in Nebraska University. Won 200 metres bronze in Moscow, it's first medal ever that earned by a Cariabbean women in olympics history. Won first World Champs medal in Helsinki (bronze in 200m), but waited until 1993 for her first global individual title, where she grabbed a gold in 200 metres final in Stuttgart.
Despite contesting seven-time in Olympic Games, never won a gold medal, which made her arguably 'greatest ever sprinter who has not a Olympic gold'. She closes very much to get a gold in Atlanta1996, but only lost after marginal measurement (by 0.005) to American rival Gail Devers, even though both clocked 10.94 officially.
After a dispute with team-mates and officials in Sydney, she changed to representing nationality after obtaining Slovenian passport in May 2002. In her 40s, compete under Slovenian flag in 2004 Olympics and three European Championships. In 2012 Helsinki, she ran for 4x100 Slovenian team and became oldest contestant ever in European Champs at age 52.
TRIVIA
♦ Nicknamed 'Bronze Queen' because of losing lots of finals.
♦ Graduated from Nebraska University, where won 14 All-American collegiate titles and still-standing school records.
♦ Married with US Olympian high jumper Nat Page in 1984 (briefly taken Ottey-Page surname in LA Olympics), then dated with Italian sprinter Stefano Tilli
♦ In indoor track, she became first-ever athlete to run under 7.00 in 60 metres and under 22.00 in 200 metres (still only one).
♦ Banned for doping (nandrolone) in the summer of 1999, but cleared her name within a year, then IAAF lifted her ban in 2000.
♦ Lived Ljubljana nearly 12 years, then moved to Switzerland.
♦ Awarded Order of Nation in Jamaica after her first Olympic medal in 1980.
♦ Selected several hall of fames including Nebraska Uni (2015) and Memorial van Damme (2018).
♦ Broke 100 metres 50+ age group world record in July 2010 with 11.67!
♦ In 100 metres, recorded 58 legal mark (not included 9 windy) under 11 seconds, more than any other athlete.