Justice has been done ­ Mills

Ottey... cleared to run on Monday.

GLEN Mills, head coach of Jamaica's track and field team to the Sydney Olympics, is delighted Merlene Ottey has been cleared of doping offences by the International Amateur Athletic Federation's (IAAF) arbitration panel.

"I think justice has been done," Mills said yesterday, a day after the IAAF had handed down its decision.

"I never for a moment thought she was guilty of any wrongdoing and I am very pleased her name has been cleared.

"It is also good such an excellent record, built up over so many years, has not been destroyed by human error."

Mills said track and field needed icons like Ottey to stay 'pure' to keep the integrity of the sport intact.

A second vice president of the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA), Mills who is set to attend his fourth Olympics as head coach, is sure Ottey will qualify for her sixth Olympics when the Jamaica Trials are held at the National Stadium from July 20-22.

"She left us in a competitive shape at the time of her suspension earlier this year and so I have no doubt she will make the Jamaica track and field team for the Olympics. Ottey will be a great asset to our sprint relay team and I am also hoping she will get a medal in whatever event she competes," Mills said.

Ottey, if she qualifies for Sydney, will be seeking to win her eighth Olympic medal at the grand old age of 40. At the Atlanta Games four years ago she won silver medals in the 100 and 200 metres and a bronze as a member of the 4x100m relay team. She is expected to compete in only the 100 metres this year.

By Elton Tucker

Assistant Sport Editor

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