World Masters Athletic C'ships from July 28

Sampath BANDARA

Elaborate arrangements have been made to stage the World Masters Athletics Championships in Lahti, Finland from July 28 to August 8 2009.

Over 6,000 athletes from 98 countries have entered the Championships which will be held in three stadia in the beautiful city of Lahti one and a half hours drive from Helsinki.

Sri Lanka Masters Athletics will be sending a team of three athletes and a Manager for the championships.

Gamini Weerasinghe (Age Group 50-54) is the Captain of the team and will participate in the two hurdles events, 110m hurdles and 400m hurdles.

Gamini participated in the XVI WMA Championship in San Sabastian, Spain 2003 and in Riccione, Italy 2005 and performed well to reach the final in his pet event 110m hurdles.

K.M. Karunaratne (Age Group 70-74) will be seen in action in the sprints 100m, 200m and 80m hurdles. karunaratne who has won several medals at the Asian Masters Championships participated in the XVI WMA Championship in San Sebastian, Spain 2005.

Sriyani Weerasinghe (Age Group 50-54) will be participating in the shot put and discus throw events.

Sriyani who won a gold medal and two silver medals at the Asian Masters Championships held in Thailand, in January, 2009 will be participating for the first time in a World Championships. Dickman Guruge Vice President of the Sri Lanka Masters Athletics will accompany the team as Manager while P.H.D. Waidyatilaka, President Sri Lanka Masters Athletics, will be officiating as one of the two International Technical Officials in Lahti.