Thousands and thousands of sports lovers would have seen the 10,000 meters race live at the Sugathadasa Stadium and over the TV. I am sure that anybody with an A. B. C. D. knowledge of athletics would totally agree with me that the Sri Lankan athlete Chandrawathie Menike who participated in the 10,000 meter event commenced it in a flash and was in the lead in the first three rounds, but ended without being placed.

The sole reason for her failure was the lack of proper training and guidance. The way she ran was a clear indication that she was not properly trained and guided to plan her run. As a result she wasted her energy which should have been reserved towards the end.

Chandrawathie Menike who hailed from a rural area with less experience should have received little more hints and guidance as to how a long distance event is run. There are many more Chandrawathie Menikes, unheard and unknown. It is the bounden duty of the authorities who are in charge of athletics in Sri Lanka to look for athletes of the calibre of Chandrawathie Menike.

This reminds me of some of the lines from the poem "Elegy Written in a Country Church Yard" by Thomas Grey-

Full many a gem of purest ray serene

The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear

Full many a flower is born to blush unseen

And waste its sweetness in the desert air.

Some village hampden that with dauntless breast

Some mute inglorious Miltons here may rest.

In conclusion, I hope and pray that Chandrawathie Menike will not be pushed into the wilderness, but that she be assisted to be another Susanthika.
K. A. Dharmasena,
Sports lover from Kegalla.