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Cream of world class athletes to compete in Berlin

The stage is set for the world’s greatest track and field extravaganza as the 12th edition of the IAAF World Championship begins in the German capital of Berlin on Saturday. The cream of world class athletes will be seen in action at the week-long championship which is set to dish out a few new world records.

Unlike in the previous World Championships, Sri Lanka will not have the services of its star class athletes. With the recent retirements of Susanthika Jayasinghe, Damayanthi Darsha, Sugath Tillakaratne and Sriyani Kulawansa – four of the most outstanding athletes that Sri Lanka has ever produced, the country’s chances at the IAAF World Championships will be at a low ebb.

Especially, Jayasinghe had been the cynosure off all eyes as she kept the Lion flag fluttering high until she announced her retirement after the last IAAF World Championship in Osaka, Japan two years ago.

There too, Jayasinghe made Lanka proud by winning women’s 200m bronze. It was exactly 12 years ago that Jayasinghe won her country’s first ever World Championship medal, finishing behind Uzbekistan’s Zahana Pintusevich to take women’s 200m silver in Athens, 1997.

Nevertheless, the competition would be high at the upcoming world championship. The women’s 200m – Jayasinghe’s pet event, is an event all Sri Lankan sports fans have followed closely during the last decade or more. Though both Jayasinghe and Darsha won’t be there in Berlin, Lankan fans would still focus their attention on the women’s 200m which has always been a colourful and exciting one.

American Allyson Felix and Veronica Campbell-Brown have been dominating women’s 200m during the last few years. Defending champion Felix won the US title in June before opting to concentrate on the 100m and 400m. The American lass’ preparation for the big event in Germany was vindicated when she rocketed to the top of the IAAF world standings with a sensational best 21.88 seconds in winning time in her last IAAF meet in Stockholm. It was a time within 0.07 of her lifetime best set when winning the 2007 World 200m title and rightly installs her as pre-race favourite.

Campbell-Brown could well be a doubtful starter as she has spent five weeks on the sidelines due to an injury. Nevertheless, the Jamaican is determined to remain unbeaten in her three 200m outings this season. She bagged the Jamaican title two months ago and has gradually improved, recording a season’s best of 22.37 in her most recent outing over the half-lap distance in Barcelona.

However, Felix and Campbell-Brown are set to have a tough time with challenge coming from Shelly Ann-Fraser and Simone Facey. Fraser sprinted to the runner-up spot in a respectable 22.58 at the Jamaican Championships recently.

Facey finished third in the Jamaican Championships and with a season’s best time of 22.65 she will be seeking to book her place in the final. Joining Felix in the US women’s sprint team are Muna Lee and Marshevet Hooker. Lee was an impressive runner-up at the US championships with a wind-assisted 22.13.

Meanwhile , 47th IAAF Congress will be held in Berlin from today (11). Representing Sri Lanka at the Congress will be Major General Palitha Fernando and AASL Secretary General Prema Pinnawela. The duo left for Germany yesterday and are due to arrive in Berlin today.

The Opening Ceremony of the IAAF Congress and the official dinner will take place this evening beneath the spectacular 30m high roof of the visionary architecture of the Tempodrom, a circular concert and conference venue which is situated just five minutes walking distance from Potsdamer Platz, in well-manicured parkland in the middle of the vibrant heart of Berlin. The two-day IAAF Congress is due to get underway at the Estrel Hotel, Berlin tomorrow morning.

The Congress of the IAAF consists of the Council, Honorary Members and three delegates from each National Member Federation, and meets every two years at the time of the IAAF World Championships in Athletics.

The Congress has the power to amend the rules and introduce new events or competitions. It can also grant, on the recommendation of Council, the following awards: IAAF Veteran Pin and IAAF Plaque of Merit. The IAAF announced that the 47th IAAF congress is not an electoral one.

Elections to the IAAF Council takes place in every even numbered Congress, one vote being given to each Member, and the next elections for the positions of President, the four Vice Presidents, the Honorary Treasurer, Individual Members and Committees will take place at the 48th IAAF Congress in Daegu, Korea in 2011 in the week prior to the 13th IAAF World Championships in Athletics. The Congress is also entitled to elect, in recognition of valued service, Honorary Life Presidents, Life Vice Presidents and Life Personal Members.

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