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| Sunday, 31 August 2003 |
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Sri Lanka plans to get more support for athletics Dinesh Weerawansa reporting from France PARIS, Aug. 30 - Sri Lanka plans to obtain more support from international community to foster its track and field as the 9th IAAF World Championship reaches its peak with nine finals scheduled for tomorrow (31). Sri Lanka's athletic officials are making use of their tour here for the 203-nation World Championship to gain more technical and financial backing to further promote track and field in the island. Athletic Association of Sri Lanka (AASL) President Sunil Jayaweera and Secretary Prema Pinnawala are in touch with several world sports leaders, officials and coaches in an attempt to acquire their services to help the Lankan national athletes. The duo met China's chief national coach Fen Shoun Yung, who has promised to look into the possibility of the areas in which they could help Sri Lanka. AASL officials said they are currently in touch with a reputed Canadian physiotherapist to acquire his services for the national team as key Lankan national athletes are often injury prone. Sri Lanka's athletic officials have also spoken to several officials and coaches from Cubs, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Australia, seeking their support in various fields. Several countries have expressed their desire to help Sri Lanka in their areas of coaching and technical development. Sri Lanka team is due to leave the French capital only on Wednesday (3). The official meals provided to the competitors at the Athletes Village situated at Cite University would end on Monday. Hence, the AASL has decided to pay Lankan athletes a meal allowance of USD 50 each to cover the two remaining days. The excitement and sporting atmosphere continued at the Stade de France last night - the day seven of the World athletic extravaganza. The most eye-catching of them was the men's 200m final, which was won by American John Capel in 20.30 seconds. Fellow teammate Dravia Patton (20.31) was a mere one hundredth of a second behind Capel to settle for the silver. Japan's Shingo Suetsugu became only the second Asian medallist of the current World Championship, after Qatar's adopted men's 3,000m steeplechase gold medallist Saif Saaeed Shaheen, when he bagged men's 200m bronze in 20.38 seconds. Men's 200m and 400m events have been long dominated by the retired US speed merchant Michael Johnson. But the Americans did not feel his absence much, medal-wise. New gold medallist Capel said the result was just what they planned. The US sprinting is back on top where it belongs. I knew we could do it and was so great. We are in good shape and can win the 100m relay, no matter what it would be," Capel said. Japanese bronze medallist said he could not believe finishing third with such a tight competition. "But I knew I could have a strong finish and I was confident," he said. Felix Sanchez (Dominican Republic) registered the World's leading timing this year - 47.25 seconds, to win men's 400m gold medal. My coach told me to just run fast and concentrate and everything will come together. I just did that," he said. American Joey Woody (48.18) and Greek Periklis Iakovakis (48.24) settled for the silver and bronze medals respectively. The Americans proved their might beyond sprints and extended their dominance to field events as well. This time it was Dwight Philips cleared an impressive 8.32m to give USA a gold medal in men's long jump final. Jamaican James Beckford (8.28) and Spaniard Yago Lamela (8.22) won the silver and bronze medals respectively. In the events for disabled, which were coupled with the main competition proper, Louise Savuage (1:57.15 - Australia - 800m women's wheelchair) and Joel Jeannot (3:13.03 - France - 1,500m men's wheelchair) won gold medals in their respective events. Men's 4 x 400m first round heats, in which Sri Lanka would run in heat three, is due to take place at 7.11 (11.11 pm SL time) later tonight. |
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