All set for Sri Lanka’s biggest Athletic Pageant
[August 6, 2002  - 9.20 GMT]

Sri Lanka is just two days away from the biggest athletic event to be staged in the country - the 14^th Asian Athletic Championships. 

Forty-four countries from the Asian continent will field over 1000 athletes in the track and field championships from August 9 to 12 at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo. 

The city decorated with colourful flags, billboards, banners and illuminations will provide an impressive backdrop to the games. 

Several of the participating teams are due to arrive in Colombo today. 

Susanthika Jayasinghe and P. H. D. Waidyatillake will light the traditional Olympic lamp at the opening ceremony graced by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe August 8.

Susanthika is the Sydney Olympic women’s 200m bronze medallist and Waidyatillake is the only International Technical Officer (ITO) in Sri Lanka. 

The First Asian Track and Field Championships got off the launching pad and was held at the Marikina Stadium in Manila, Philippines in November 1973. 

Indonesia hosted the last Championship in 2000. 

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Last Updated Date: August 6, 2002  - 9.20 GMT.