Ottey Runs 100-Meter Victory String to 52

Merlene Ottey won the women’s 100 meters in 10.87 seconds in the Golden Gala Grand Prix track and field meet at Rome, extending her string of consecutive victories in the event to 52.

The Jamaican led all the way, with American Carlette Guidry finishing second in 11.07.

Ottey, who was timed in 10.84 a week ago for a season best, is undefeated in the 100 since finishing third in the 1988 Olympic Games.

Britain’s Colin Jackson won the men’s 110-meter hurdles in 13.09 seconds, the fastest in the world this year. American Greg Foster was second in 13.10.

Frank Fredericks of Namibia took the men’s 200 in 20.08, an African record and second best in the world this year to American Michael Johnson’s 20.02. Robson Da Silva of Brazil was second in Rome in 20.18.

Ibrahim Kinuthia of Kenya won the men’s 5,000 in 13:09.76, upsetting Richard Chelimo, also of Kenya, and Salvatore Antibo of Italy.

World record-holder Stefka Kostadinova of Bulgaria, making a comeback after a series of injuries, won the women’s high jump at 6 feet 6 inches. Yolanda Henry of the United States was second at 6-4 3/4.