Olympics for Sri Lanka is the same old story

Richard Dwight

The Olympics throughout the years barring two Olympiads, where in the year 1948 at the London Olympics, Duncan White, of Ceylon then and Sri Lanka now, won a silver medal for the 400 m hurdles and Susanthika in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, won a bronze medal for the 200 m, which was eventually adjudged a silver medal.

In the long drawn out intervening years of Olympics, at various times, Sri Lankan Athletes have done well to qualify and be eligible to compete in their respective events. But that's how far they could go these past years in the highly competitive arena of Olympics. For they went, saw and gained exposure, and came back with medals eluding them. Dismal though it be, Olympics for Sri Lanka is the same old story. Let us move away from this disappointment by saying something in lighter vein.

Dwelling on the words of "It is the same old story," I was reminded of the age old professor, who had a deep desire to visit his old school. Nearing the school he said "the same old gate" on walking along the professor quipped "same old drive way, same old porch and same old hall." Out in the garden he recognized the large old tree, with its spreading leafy branches and a garden seat cut round its trunk - and the professor seeing a boy and girl seated together on it. The professor drew close to the couple to say, "the same old game," the excited boy sprang up and said "No sir, she is my sister" and the professor moved a bit more closer to say, "same old story".

It's always good when spirits are low, especially amongst the athletic fraternity to recall to mind the extraordinary achievements of Duncan White and Susanthika.

Mainly from the point of our youngsters, too late to remember them at their peak, but old enough to recognize their athletic skills. And so we for their benefit, give a brief narrative of both Duncan and Susanthika.

Duncan White, the son of a doctor at Kalutara, was an outstanding athlete, born if you like. He had the ideal physique, being lissome and tall to excel at athletics at Trinity, at the national and subcontinent levels. Duncan had a devil-may-care attitude with a lackadaisical, nonchalant approach. But despite this he would be the first to advise others, not to follow him or do the unconventional things he said.

For this he did not find favour with his mentors at Trinity and was denied the coveted 'Trinity Lion.' (His forte lay in the 400 m hurdles). Ceylon known as Sri Lanka gained Independence in 1948 and Duncan took off for the 1948 London Olympics with the minimum of facilities.

Ceylon was only known for its tea and scenic beauty - but when Duncan through error of judgment won the silver and not the gold, he stood at the victory stand as the Ceylon flag went up, he in a matter of 51 seconds put Ceylon well and truly on the map. It was Duncan's gift to Ceylon gaining Independence in 1948.

Healthy relationships were restored between Duncan and Trinity College, when Duncan in 1949 sporting his blazer and silver medal visiting Trinity was greeted by the first Ceylonese Principal, Mr Sumithrarachchi, and presented to Duncan the much coveted 'Trinity Lion.'

Needless to say that he was speechless and regaining his composure was heard to say, that this was far more important to him than the Olympic medal - for that which was wrong had been corrected.

It is not the intention here for me to involve myself in the 'Compare and contrast' syndrome between Duncan and Susanthika, for both were great sprinters who brought honour and fame to the country.

Most, if not all of us know that her beginnings were modest growing up in a humble, environment, with her parents who lacked the wherewithal, in a remote village called Uduwaka in the Kegalle District. Endowed with a fine physique her strength lay in her ability to run fast and to her credit it must be said that Susanthika being aware of this talent - relentlessly with much vigour and zest pursued a career in athletics with a penchant for the 100 and 200 metres sprints.

This undoubtedly, appeared to be the turning point for the better in her life and that of the family. For victories were not long in coming, when she with a measure of regularity kept winning the sprints in the local as well as foreign athletic meets, which certainly enabled to improve her lot.

Susanthika's crowning glory and pinnacle of her achievement came in the 2000 Sydney Olympics 200 m, when she won the Bronze medal with a timing of 22.28 secs.

Pauline Davis coming second with a timing of 22.27 secs to win the silver medal and coming first to win the gold medal with a timing of 21.84 secs was Marion Jones. But Marion holding onto the gold medal was short lived, for the reason that she was disqualified, and so Pauline Davis was adjudged the gold medalist and Susanthika the silver medalist.