Ato very doubtful for Commonwealth
...finishes ninth in Rome 100
By KWAME LAURENCE

Ato Boldon produced his best run this season, in near perfect
conditions, at yesterday's Golden Gala Golden League meet in Rome,
Italy.

However, the LA-based sprinter's 10.23 seconds clocking placed him
ninth and last in the men's 100 metres "A" race.

Afterwards, Boldon told the Express he will probably skip the July 25-
August 4 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England.

"It is highly likely I will not defend my Commonwealth 100 metres
title. My back felt perfect today," he continued. "It's just that my
body's finished right now. I was right when I said I wanted to take
the year off. After seven years of doubling, and sub-10 and sub-20, I
need rest, so I can prepare for the 2003 Worlds and the 2004
Olympics."

The Trinidad and Tobago sprinter withdrew from yesterday's 200m.
However, he plans to face the starter in the 100m event at next
Friday's Golden League meet in Monaco.

"I will fulfill my commitment to Monaco, and then I'm off the track
for a while. I'll give as good a shot as I have in Monaco, but unless
there's a dramatic turnaround, I'm out of the Commonwealth Games."

Boldon said that conditions in Rome yesterday were ideal for
sprinting.

"It was about 90 degrees (Fahrenheit) at race time. It was that good.
I would normally run 9.8/9.9 in those conditions."

American Maurice Greene got off to a flying start, and was never
challenged by his rivals. With a 0.9 metres per second wind at his
back, the world record holder bolted to victory in 9.89 seconds, the
fastest time in the world this year.

Tim Montgomery (9.94) and Bernard Williams (10.00) were second and
third, respectively.

Though he is not likely to defend his cherished Commonwealth Games
sprint title, Boldon is not disheartened.

"I never look at the downside. I'm sure that sometimes, late at
night, it will bother me, but I'm looking ahead with positivity. I've
had too much success and too good a career to do otherwise. I'm not
in a position to compete with the best in the world. My body's not co-
operating. So, rather than do more psychological damage, I'll take a
break and, maybe, do a screen test or something."

The 28-year-old sprinter said the impressive 200m triumph enjoyed by
Frankie Fredericks in Rome yesterday is proof that rest works.

Boldon does not expect his withdrawal from the Commonwealth Games to
weaken T&T's 4x100m relay team.

"I don't want to be selfish about my decision, but I feel we can find
someone else to run 10.2. I don't think I'm currently one of the
country's four fastest."