Ato after the rule
By KWAME LAURENCE

Running fast in Europe is nothing new to Ato Boldon. The 28-year-old
sprinter has clocked his 100 metres PR (personal record)—9.86 seconds—
three times on that continent. However, his 2002 European season has
not been a normal one.

Hampered by a back injury, the sixth fastest human being in history
has run a series of slow times—10.43 seconds, 10.33 and a wind-
assisted 10.25. Boldon plans to return to his fast ways in today's
Golden Gala 100m dash in Rome, Italy.

"For the past seven or eight years, running poorly has been the
exception, so I'm looking for the rule. I expect to be close to what
people would expect of me in Europe. I'm not going out there
expecting anything else. If I'm able to run all the way down, I'm
looking to win and run fast."

The Trinidad and Tobago track star last competed on Sunday, June 30,
in Sheffield, England. Following that meet, he pulled out of meets in
Lausanne, Switzerland and Paris, France. He told the Express, last
night, that the rest from competition has been very beneficial.

"Two meets off is exactly what I needed to get a chance to train and
to get used to running with the insole in my shoe. My back is feeling
as good as it has felt since I've been in Europe. This week, it's 100
per cent. It's feeling so good, I'm going to run a 200 as well."

Today's half-lap race will be Boldon's 200m season-opener.
"I'll be in lane nine. That's good, since I'll be coming off the turn
quickly. It's a workout, but I want to win as well."

The 1998 Commonwealth Games 100m gold medallist is expected to square
off against Namibia's Frankie Fredericks in the 200m. And in the
100m, he will match strides with Americans Maurice Greene and Tim
Montgomery.

Boldon will again face the starter in Monaco next Friday. However, he
is uncertain about his participation at Tuesday's DN Galan Grand Prix
meet in Stockholm, Sweden.

"Based on how I feel, I'll decide on Stockholm. I don't want to rush
back. If I'm doubling here and then Stockholm has rounds...I have to
be very careful. I'm likely to run just in Monaco."

The quadruple Olympic medallist said he is aware of the negative
response, in some quarters, to his slow start this season.

"It's not something new for me to have to prove something. In the `92
Olympics, I did poorly, and then won at World Juniors. And at the `97
Worlds, there was the 100 fiasco, followed by the 200 title. For some
people it makes their own lives feel better when they focus on what
others fail to do."