Lankans failed to maintain its past record

Chinthana Wasala

Sri Lankan athletes who failed to impress and were placed seventh at the conclusion of the 2008 Asian Athletic Grand Prix series, returned to the island yesterday.

They failed to live up to expectations throughout the series it was only Prasanna Amarasekera who got to the top position of the podium winning men’s 400m in the first two legs of the series.

During the series prize money to the value of US$ 13,000 was won by the Lankans for their two gold, six silver and five bronze medals.

The performances looked very weak compared with the 2007 season, where Sri Lanka won three gold, four silver and two bronze medals with only nine athletes taking part. This year, they achieved their medals fielding 15 athletes which also proves that there has been no upward trend shown this season.

Sri Lankan team manager Sunil Gunawardena had high hopes on his team and also expected the men’s 400m and 4x400m relay team to go pass the qualifying standard to book tickets for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

China showed they are ready to show their supremacy at Beijing when they finished on top with 22 gold medals. Indians too showed that they too are ready for a good show at the Olympics.

They clinched 19 gold, 16 silver and 10 bronze medals behind their neighbours.