Asian Grand Prix athletics first leg today

Chinthana Wasala in Thailand

The first edition of the 2008 Asian Grand Prix Athletic Championships will take place today at the Thammasat University Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The second leg will be held at the King of Thailand’s 80th Birthday Celebration Stadium in Korat on Thursday and the final event will take place in Vietnam on June 30.

The significant value of this Grand Prix Series is that the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) has approved these meetings to qualify for Beijing Olympics. In addition to this, these meetings will provide other participants to put their best efforts to qualify individually for 2008 Olympics which will be held in Beijing August 8-24.

By July 15, those hoping to make the trip to Beijing should have reached the required qualifying times and distances.

The countries along with Sri Lanka, bidding for spots in the Olympics and are hoping to qualify for awards in the Asian Grand Prix are, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. Sri Lanka also will be looking forward to get the best out of their 15 member strong team just like the other 19 nations.

Bangkok, Monday