Helsini, Jun30: At 52, former multiple sprint world champion Merlene Ottey anchored the Slovenian 4x100 team at the European Championships on Saturday, but she failed to get her team into the final.
Left with too much to make up on the final straight, Ottey crossed the line in sixth place, with only the top three automatically advancing from the semifinal heat.
Ottey won three world titles as a Jamaican—the 200 meters twice and one sprint relay—before she moved to Slovenia in 1998.
France was anchored by 38-year-old Christine Arron and finished second in the same heat to advance to the final.
Ten finals are planned for late Saturday at the Olympic stadium.
