Ottey feels vindicated after prelim wins

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Sydney: Forty-year-old Jamaican Merlene Ottey, whose team mates protested at her inclusion in the 100 metres after the world governing body's arbitration panel lifted her drugs ban for the steroid nandrolone, won both her heats and said she felt vindicated.

"I've shown them that's the right decision," she said.

Another athlete reinstated after a drugs ban, Cuba's high jump world record holder Javier Sotomayor, finished top in his qualifying group. Sotomayor had a two-year ban for using cocaine halved on humanitarian grounds.Olympic champion Charles Austin of the United States failed to qualify for Sunday's final.

Australia world 400 metres champion Cathy Freeman generated most noise from an exuberant opening day crowd of 102,485, with an easy first round victory in 51.63.

Freeman is now the overwhelming favourite to win the title on Monday night after her main rival Marie-Jose Perec unexpectedly quit the Games on Wednesday and flew home to France.

Perec, who preceded Michael Johnson to a 200-400 double at the Atlanta Games four years ago, was regarded as Freeman's only serious opposition although she has pulled out of several meetings this year and was a virtual recluse after arriving in Australia

(c) Reuters Limited.