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| Sunday, 18 August 2002 |
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Susanthika the heart - throb by Srian Obeyesekere She was the heroine. Everyone's darling. The cynosure of all eyes as the country, for once took on a festive air, celebrating the achievements of an athlete. It was Susanthika Jayasinghe all the way.
Such was her compelling attraction that from the stadium to every household and to the man on the street, Susanthika was the sensation. In the hustle and bustle of their work they were there in their numbers at most every street corner glued to the closest t.v. set to catch a glimpse of their heart-throb whenever she was in the action. Not since winning the cricket world cup some 7 years ago had the nation erupted in such overwhelming joy. Indeed, the village lass from Warakapola had done enough to turn on the heat. There was the masculine, muscle toned athlete sdominating the blocks. The rhythmic tryst of body and limb, in leaving behind her a field was a captivating sight. This time around bulldozing her way with such consumate ease to gold medals in the women's 100 meters (11.29 seconds) and 200 meters (22.84 seconds) events at the 14th edition of the Asian Athletic Championships. Indeed, Susanthika had caused the hype in the week that was. Hailing from the local athletic fraternity which remain in the shadows of cricketers who dominate the sports scene, Susanthika's efforts had for once shifted the attention. For a change, viewers preferred to miss the ongoing Morocco Cup Cricket Triangular match telecast between Pakistan and South Africa in favour of viewing Susanthika doing the honours on the closing day of the Games last Monday. Ofcourse, Susanthika had before that done much to cause such a change of heart. A nation, not forgetting her Olympic achievement of a bronze medal in the women's 200 metres two years ago at Sydney, had rallied behind their heroine. A feat that brought Sri Lanka only its second such medal in a time gap as long as 52 years, since winning the first medal, a silver by Duncan White. Indeed, a herculean feat which has already seen the lass from Warakapola carve her name in the international annals as much as locally. A status reserved only for mega stars. What is typical of her rise and popularity is the great will to achieve which has been a hallmark of Susanthika's tenacity. A career that began from small beginnings which is the usual `rags to riches' story associated with athletes from third world countries, has begun to blossom with each outing. It looked like it was ready to reach its height at the recent Commonwealth Games when the Sri Lankan simply blazed to victory in the 100 metres heats only to be disqualified on the grounds she veered off her lane. A decision which was treated with a cloud of doubt back home with Susanthika maintaining that she had not veered off. For a career that has not been without countroversy, Susanthika has done well to brave her way to soak in the type of adulation reserved for greats. She emerged conquering the Asian circuit, first winnings the 200m. event at the Games in Hiroshima, Japan in 1994 and in its wake the 100m event at the same meet in Jakarta, Indonesia in 1995 followed by the 200 meters at the Asian Championships also in Jakarta the same year. She broke into the big circuit winning the 200m. event at the World Championships held in the very mecca of athletics - Athens, Greece in 1997 by 22.39 seconds. It was some four years ago Susanthika found a drugs related ban slapped down on her when she tested positive after winning the same event in the same meet that she took centre stage back home this time around. She was cleared after a subsequent inquiry, but was again banned for a short time after testing positive for drugs from a urine sample test taken locally. She was again cleared after she claimed her urine sample had been deliberately tampered with by local authorities. Today, at age 28, Susanthika, the better by the uses of modern technology and guided by a foreign coach in Tony Campbell, is ripe and hungry for greater success. Interestingly, the question is, does this mega star find the due rewards deserving one in terms of remuneration associated with such success as our cricketers? |
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