Questions remain after the Asian Grand Prix

Chinthana WASALA

After failing to get the best out of a great opportunity at the recently concluded Asian Grand Prix Athletic Championship, it seems like Sri Lankan Athletic Officials have very much to consider.

What went wrong? and what is next after the Asian Grand Prix which was the final opportunity for the Lankan athletes to make their way to the Beijing Olympics.

Why did not Sri Lankan athletes fail to give their best at the last chance they had before the Olympics?

That remained a big question at the conclusion of the 2008 Asian Grand Prix.

All the athletes who competed in the Grand Prix in Bangkok, Korat and Hanoi knew that they must reach the peak of their abilities.

But why did not most of the Lankan athletes fail to get even close to their personnel bests? Lanka’s only successful find there was Chandrika Subhashini, who became the best Sri Lankan women 400m runner behind Damayanthi Darsha.

It is a simple fact that athletes must be able to give their best in two occasions in the same day when they compete in a big event in the international level.

For example, an athlete would have to run both semi final and the final in the same day. Resting a player who has a good potential in hope of posing him for a separate event ahead would be a great disadvantage for the event he would not compete.

It is true that an athlete would be very tired and because of that he would not be able to give his best at the next event. But what should be the answer for that question? Why a good replacement could not be found?

Is this a problem only applicable for the Sri Lankan athletes?

Indians came up with very good results at the end of Grand Prix series in Hanoi. K.M. Binu played a vital part in both men’s 400m and 4X400m relay and let us not forget the Sri Lankan hero at the games, Prasanna Sampath Amarasekera as he made a good contribution to the team with winning the men’s 400m and made a good effort at the 4X400m relay at Bangkok.

But in Korat, Prasanna’s absence made a big difference. With Rohitha Pushpakumara leading the way, other three members failed to make a big impact.

It is better to take six specialized 400m sprinters for a big event but in Sri Lanka it seems very difficult to do so. This is a common problem and the answers must be found.

There are no excuses can be made when competing in the international level.