Ato trails Lausanne field
By KWAME LAURENCE

"Form is temporary..."

Though he did not achieve the results he had hoped for at
yesterday's Athletissima 2003 Grand Prix meet in Lausanne,
Switzerland, Ato Boldon has not lost the self-belief that has helped
him capture a world title and four Olympic medals.

"It's difficult to struggle, but once I'm healthy I can race myself
into form. I have to continue believing in myself."

Boldon clocked 10.30 seconds to finish last in the eight-man 100
metres field. Nigeria's Deji Aliu copped the top spot in 10.04,
beating US sprinters Bernard Williams (10.10) and Maurice Greene
(10.11) into second and third, respectively.

Boldon returned a time of 20.77 to finish seventh in the 200m.
Americans Coby Miller (20.04), Darvis Patton (20.14) and Ramon Clay
(20.34) claimed the top three spots.

"I would like to be running sub-10 and sub-20," Boldon told the
Express. "But the good news," he continued, "is that nobody is
running very fast."

The Trinidad and Tobago track star said he had no problems with his
troublesome right quadriceps muscle in yesterday's races.

"The leg feels fine, but race-wise it's not there. The more I race
the better I'll run. It's a question of race rhythm. I don't ever
line up in a race to be dead-last, but I understand that I'm running
against guys with ten races this season. Being behind and coming off
injury is probably the worst combination."

The Athletissima 2003 half-lap race was Boldon's 200m season-opener.

"The 200 felt better. I think it was my fourth 200 since the
Olympics, so it's good to get back to my pet event."

The 29-year-old sprinter is expected to compete in both sprints at
Friday's Golden League meet in Paris, France.

"The plan," an upbeat Boldon ended, "is to do as many doubles as I
can."