Merlene Ottey

Merlene Joyce Ottey OJ, CD (born May 10, 1960) is a Jamaican-Slovenian former track and field sprinter. He began his career representing Jamaica in 1978 and continued to do so for 24 years, before representing Slovenia from 2002 to 2012. He is fourth on the all-time list over 60m (indoor), eighth on the all-time list times over 100 meters and sixth on the list of all times over 200 meters. She is the current indoor world record holder for the 200 meters 21.87 seconds, set in 1993. She was named Jamaican Sportsperson of the Year 13 times between 1979 and 1995.

Ottey had the longest career as a top international sprinter, appearing at the 1979 Pan American Games as a 19-year-old fresh from competing in the U-20 and Junior categories, and concluded his career at age 52 when he led the Slovenian team. 4 × 100 m relay at the 2012 European Championships. A nine-time Olympic medalist, she holds the record for the most Olympic appearances (seven) of any track and field athlete. Although gold medal success at the Olympics eluded Ottey, she was able to take home three silver and six bronze medals. She won 14 world championship medals and still holds the record (as of 2017) for the most individual event medals with 10.[6] Her career achievements and her longevity led her to be called the “Queen of the track”. Her propensity to win bronze medals at major championships earned her the title “Bronze Queen” in athletics circles.

Ottey was previously married to American high jumper and 400m hurdler Nat Page and she was known as Merlene Ottey-Page in the mid-1980s.