Ottey wants 100m place

Merlene Ottey: One more 100m for Jamaica?

Merlene Ottey has said that she will not compete at the Olympics unless she is given one of Jamaica's three 100m places.

Ottey finished only fourth in the Jamaican trials which was not enough to earn her selection for the 100m but it did win the 40-year-old a place in the relay team.

If I can run only in the relays, I will not compete - I will retire

  Merlene Ottey

Peta Gaye Dowdie, Beverley McDonald and Tanya Lawrence were the first three, but Ottey insists she can still outrun them when the time comes.

"I know I will be the fastest Jamaican around by the time the Olympics arrive," said Ottey.

"If I can run only in the relays, I will not compete - I will retire."

Ottey has been training for the event and is adamant she will run the 100m

There have been hints from officials at the Jamaican Amateur Athletics Association that Ottey will get what she wants.

McDonald, who also qualified at 200m, pulled out of the 100m at the World Championships last year in order to concentrate on the longer distance.

But her coach Ray Stewart has vigorously denied mounting speculation that she will do the same to allow Ottey to run.

"She will compete in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay, so all the people who are spreading the rumours that Beverley will run only the 200m to allow Ottey to compete in the 100m will be disappointed," said Stewart.