Sports

Susi, stand up and answer the baron

By T.M.K. Samat 

AFTER months of roaming the world, the eternal flame finally came to the Olympic stadium Friday _ and Athens 2004 was up and off the starting blocks. Over the next three weeks, probably only a world war would distract away an audience of a billion and more from watching the world's best talents pit each other for gold, silver and bronze. Televisions will run hot. And at the end of it all, heroes would've been made of names that only a few days ago were anonymous inscriptions on competitors' listings.

Much has changed in the Olympics since its rebirth in 1896 _ nearly 1, 500 years after the last of the Hellenic Games in the fourth century AD. But the one thing that has remained constant is its custom of making heroes of yesterday's nonentities. Other sport events too do, but as a world event the once-in-four-years Games are without parallel, and its medals.well, symbols of world superiority, and more. 

Of course, in present day Olympic the achievement-value of medals are less than the potential it has for champions to make personal Fort Knoxs for themselves. If commercialism in the little world of Sri Lanka athletics turned an impoverished girl (who spent some of her early childhood fetching firewood in the woods of Warakapola) to a secure Colombo landlady on the strength of a bronze in Sydney, then, there's no guessing the sort of wealth the gold medallists _likes of Carl Lewis, Marion Jones, Ian Thorpe _ might have inherited, through endorsements and whatever that chases the famous.

This wasn't the sort of idealism that the founder of modern Olympics, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, had in mind back in 1896. But then, time, values and the world itself are not meant to remain stagnant. And changed have they, but that doesn't make the Olympic winners of yore lesser heroes. If anything, they deserve greater admiration, as their strivings were for that solitary moment of glory on the Olympic stage _ nothing more. These days such idealism has been replaced by monetary greed, so overpowering that, once strictly medical language, like anabolic steroid, has found its way into the sport's vocabulary. That is another story.

As we were saying, new heroes, and millionaires, will surely emerge from Athens. And as they do, it is appropriate to roll back the years and recollect the deeds of those forgotten, and not so rich, heroes of the distant past.

The hero of the first modern Olympics, in1896 in Athens, was the home-country marathon runner, Spyridon Louis, a Greek shepherd turned Army messenger. The marathon had much sentimental value to the host country, rooted as it is in the country's history. Greek legend has it that when the invading Persians were driven out of the country, a Greek solider and a champion of ancient Olympics named Pheidippides was chosen to convey the good news to the Greek people. He ran 25 miles, from Marathon to Athens, announced the happy news and dropped dead of exhaustion. So, organizers of the 1896 Olympics decided to give life to that legend and declared the course of the marathon would be the same as that Pheidippides ran _ in 490 BC.

That historical background inspired Greek ambitions to provide the 1896 winner of the marathon. Through a series of trials, 21 athletes were chosen to help realize the collective ambitions of all Greeks. All manner of incentives were offered for a victory, ranging from the hand of the daughter of wealthy benefactor named Georgios Averhoff, to lifelong supplies of clothes, wine, bread, as well as a lifetime of free shaves and haircuts. There were four challengers from overseas: American, Hungarian, Australian and Frenchman. The Australian and American dropped out after being choked in the dust kicked up by an escort of horses and soldiers. So did the Frenchman, in breathless exhaustion. The Hungarian was lost in the trailing gaggle.

When Louis entered the stadium he was nearly three miles ahead of the rest. Prince George and Crown Prince Constantine could scarcely contain their delight, and raced out of the royal box to accompany the hero on his last lap. Louis was inundated with gifts and is said to have led a comfortable life ever after. But he had to decline the gift of the hand of Averhoff's daughter: he was already married and a father of two.

The hero of the 1900 Olympics in Paris was partially paralyzed by polio as a boy. But that didn't stop American Ray C Ewry in later years from winning three gold medals in one afternoon. He won standing high jump with a world record 5 feet 5 inches, standing long jump and standing triple jump and won the bronze in the running high jump.  He also competed in the 1904 and 1908 Olympics in St. Louis and London respectively and ended with a total tally of 10 gold medals.

A better example of converting adversity to triumph is hard to find. Ewry's doctor had recommended that jumping from a standing position would help strengthen his withered limbs. Little did he realize that his therapy would go to make him an Olympic champion. His remarkable achievement will never be erased as the standing jumps were eliminated from the Olympic program after 1912.

The hero of the 1908 Olympics in London wasn't a winner _ only because organizers changed the distance of the marathon for the viewing benefit of Queen Alexander. An extra 385 yards was attached to the then standard 26 miles so that competitors could run a lap around the White City stadium before the royal box where the Queen would greet the winner.

But the additional 385 yards killed off Dorando Pietri, a candymaker from Capri in Italy. He was well ahead of the rest when he turned into the stadium, but the sweltering heat had taken its toll on the Italian. His senses had taken leave of him as he came on to the track. He turned right instead of left, and then collapsed to the ground. Doctors and officials helped him back on his feet and pointed in the right direction of the finish. He collapsed four more times, each time helped to his feet by officials. Eventually he staggered over the line held up by two officials.

Inevitably Dorando was disqualified, but the courageous spirit of the candy man had completely won over the British public and Queen Alexander, who presented him with a Gold Cup.

James Ted Meredith became a hero by accident in the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm. His American compatriot, Mel Sheppard was the favourite to take the gold in the 800 metres. He was the defending champion, and had recorded his best time of 1m. 54.4 secs. in the heats. Sheppard believed that a world record in the final was achievable, if someone acted as pacemaker. Meredith, yet a schoolboy, agreed to play the part. As the defending champion shot in front at a blistering pace, Meredith dutifully tagged on to his shadow. In the finishing stretch, the hot pace that Sheppard had set began to tell. He slowed, and Meredith put on the speed to win _ and set up a new world record.

In later Olympics we had heroes who were to win prominence in later life. The 1924 Games in Paris provided two such personalities: Johnny Weissmuller and Rev. Eric Liddell.

Weissmuller became famous for playing Hollywood Tarzan in the 1930s.  But he first made a name for himself as the swimmer who won three gold medals in the Paris Olympics and two more in 1928 in the Amsterdam Olympics. Strange circumstances made him a swimmer. As a child, doctors suspected Weissmullar had a heart ailment and recommended swimming to help build strength and stamina. He attained both, as well as Olympic medals and Hollywood fame and fortune.

Liddell didn't end up a film star (instead he went to China as a missionary in 1925 and died in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp in 1943), but Hollywood immortalized the Olympic champion in the Oscar winning film Chariots of Fire. Though Britain's champion and 100m. record-holder, Rev Liddell refused to run the Olympic 100m. because the final was held on Sunday _ and he wouldn't betray his religion. So, he chose instead to compete in the not-on-Sunday 200m and 400m. He finished third in the 200; the 400m., so, was the last opportunity to win back the gold medal he sacrificed in order to adhere to his religious principles. The 400m. favourite was American Fitch, who timed 47.8 secs in the semifinal. Liddell had never returned a sub-49. But the good reverend's determination knew no bounds. He sped as if on the wings of an angel, finished a full four metres ahead of the American favourite _ in a world record time of 47.6 seconds.

Compare Liddell's story from the 1924 Olympics with Susanthika Jayasinghe's from Athens. Here is one who refuses to run the 100m. because of religious principles. And there's Jayasinghe concealing an injury until she had parked herself in the Olympic village and then promptly declares she won't run. She claims she's a non-playing captain and has a right to be in Athens. Liddell justifies his presence in Paris by running in an unaccustomed event _ and winning. 

Oh, what sins are committed in the name of Olympics. Baron De Courbertin's heart, interred in a marble monument in Olympia after his death in 1925, will bleed over what's become of an event he reinitiated to foster that wonderful spirit about participating being more important than winning.

Jayasinghe, stand up and answer the baron.

Meet Sahayam, the baby sitter

ANY expatriate Sri Lankan back home on holiday would doubtless give much time to revisiting old haunts and old pals, and recall the happy bygone days. "With e-mail and direct international dialling you are never out of touch with your old mates _ I keep contact with Sari (de Sylva in England) regularly. But it's not the same thing as meeting up with them in the places we once haunted, the club, Coconut Grove, " says Mohan Sahayam, CR&FC and Sri Lanka star three-quarter of the 60s, now residing in Brisbane. "Of course that's not possible now. The next best thing if you're living abroad is to comeback and talk about the old times with who ever are around _it's a longing that doesn't leave you."

So, you'd think the one-time brilliant fly half, of "Sahayam Specials" fame, home after nearly three years, would choose to stay in Colombo with one of his many old team mates _ some one who'll tell him what's become of those that he played with at Trinity College, CR&FC and Sri Lanka as they chat about old places and faces and half-remembered games. Was it to be Hadji Omar or M Azain, both one-time CR captains of his, or Ronnie Schokman or coach Mahes Rodrigo?

''I stay with Nahil Wijesuriya _ I owe it to him for making me the player I became," says Sahayam, dead seriously. I look at him surprised and before ''Nahil, who?" could hit the air, he lets out that familiar old gargling laugh, as if emanating from a throat wet with beer. ''Nahil was a bloody rotten scrum half. He was so erratic that in trying to cope with his crazy passes I became a better fly half," says Sahayam, chief guest at next week's second Bradby. ''He was my Garret House scrum half _ and of course, he never got to playing beyond that."

That is typical of Sahayam _ never one to pass up a chance for a good old laugh. He might have scored quite some brilliant tries during his time, but those run second best to the laughable in his recollections. Like the dummy he sold CH, but was bought by his own teammate, Sari de Sylva! ''It was in the 1965 CR-CH match. There was this scrum near the CH 25, which we won. Burrows and their flanker, Marrinon I think, came charging at me as I went on to the blind side. I faked a pass, and Sari, on the wing, thought it was real and made snatch for the ball," recollected Sahayam. ''And I strolled untouched through empty spaces to score one of the easiest tries of my life."

The try scored, he then turned around and saw centres Azain and Didacus de Alemida in stitches of laughter. What had happened was, the challenging Burrows and Marrinon, with their collective 400-plus pounds, had ploughed into de Sylva, sending the winger vaulting a good few yards over the touchlines and land amidst the feet of spectators. ''Sari yet tries to make out he intentionally bought my dummy and that's why I managed the try. He's of course too embarrassed to admit the truth," says Sahayam. ''The truth is, he is as good as blind without his spectacles. He saw vaguely the motions of a pass and grabbed for the non existent ball _ and got hit."

Seriously though, the immensely talented Sahayam did quite some magical things on the field. The slightest gap in the defence was. well, pretty much like showing a bone to a terrier. Sahayam would dash for it and, more often than not, get through. If there weren't a gap, then, he'd carve out one himself, with a jinx, a dummy, a delicate punt _ an all-purpose penknife, he was. Tries born out of that sort of wizardry inspired Eustace Rulach, the top rugby scribe of that time, to coin the phrase "Sahayam Specials". Trinity was the first beneficiary of his special talents. As his school career neared end in 1964, he was to become the most sought after player by clubs. He was offered a planter's job on a Brooke Bond estate so that he may turn out for Dimbula. But he turned it down for his beloved CR. He looked the obvious one to succeed long time national fly half and fellow Trinitian, Nimal Maralande. And succeed he did in 1965, in his first season of club rugby.

But fame has its risks. He was, not surprisingly, the most marked player on the field. And sure enough a serious shoulder injury put him out of the 1966 season. That lay off dulled some of his old magic. And with the entry in 1967 of Glen van Langenberg, another Trinitian, into the Havelocks team, his place in the national team was less certain. Even though he was second choice to van Langeberg most times post 1967, Sahayam hadn't yet lost his subtle art of deception _ and remained a marked man on the field. And in 1971, a bone-breaking tackle from Havelocks flanker Thajone Savaghan put an end to his career. 

''I had just kicked the ball and was yet on one foot when all of Savanghan hit me on the standing knee. My knee was locked and I had to be carried off in a stretcher," recalled Sahayam.

He moved on to coaching, guiding the Police to many Clifford Cup successes between 1973-77 before departing to take up a shipping appointment in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea _ ''another world, really". The people are ''quite nice and friendly" but, to say it diplomatically, the average Guinean is not your average Sri Lankan. ''There's a popular saying to describe the state of PNG _ it's a land where you can't find three wise men and a virgin," says Sahayam, laughing.

Sahayam, now retired, and his wife, Penny, are grandparents and Australian nationals, residing in Brisbane, not far from daughter Tishara's home. ''While the rest go out to work, I do the baby sitting _ and that I have to say gives me the greatest joy. She's such a loveable thing," _ all this from a man who once lived in the fast lane, both on the field and o. hush, don't make the baby cry.

Sanga - most influential cricketer

By Peter Roebuck

Kris Sangakkarra is emerging as the most influential cricketer in his country. Taking advantage of another pitch bereft of bounce and an attack that might just as well have been called a defence, the stylish left-hander confirmed his flowering as a batsman with a committed and skilful innings that took his side into a powerful position.

In olden times cricketers used to talk about batsmen booking in for "bed and breakfast". Sangakkara went a good deal further and seemed inclined to turn his stay at the crease into an altogether lengthier occupation . As far as the South Africans were concerned he outstayed his welcome by several days. Along the way this fine product of Trinity School in Kandy introduced himself as a player of substance. It is one thing to take runs off a bunch of juveniles representing Zimbabwe, quite another to bat for a month or so against a confident and supposedly aggressive South African outfit.

Previously Sanga has seemed to be one of those creative, intelligent , poetic sort of fellows likely to score an ornate forty before wafting away outside off-stump and then departing with an air of profound regret. Rumours had spread that he read books, including the works of Oscar Wilde, an Irish wit whose oeuvre has not generally appealed to those appointed to the important task of taking the shine off the new ball. Wilde once pointed out that he could" resist anything except temptation" and there have been times when the same might have been said of the forthright left-hander.

Of course Sanga never was a lightweight.  we are inclined to put me into boxes and to indulge in caricature. Nor was he ever as insouciant as David Gower, in some respects a fellow traveller. To the contrary he was as likely to become embroiled in an argument upon the field as Arjuna Ranatunga, and that is saying something. Plainly his intellect did not leave him hovering on the brink of the action like some Hamlet wondering whether to go forwards or back. He wanted to be involved in every minute of the game, felt he belonged in the heat of battle. He is a warrior in the guise of a philosopher, a patriot presented as a philosopher.

As much could have been guessed from Sanga's willingness to keep wickets, a job he carries out with a combination of aplomb and humour. From his perch behind the sticks the Kandyan produces a range of vivid facial expressions that accurately convey the thoughts of the inner man. When by some misfortune a ball eludes him or an appeal is denied there comes over him the offended look of a golfer whose ball has circled the hole without dropping.It as if a dark cloud has unexpectedly arrived in the middle of a sunny afternoon. At any moment his state of mind can be deduced from the look upon his map. Upon finding found aces in his hand he will beam. A man may not make a fortune at cards that way but for some it cannot be otherwise.

Not that his keeping has been a laughing matter. Indeed he has been at least as reliable as the gloved practitioners in the current Test match, amongst whom the African is suffering such a deterioration that his place must be in jeopardy. Nevertheless Sangakkarra's keeping is valuable mainly for the insight it provides into the workings of his soul. But it is his batting that sets him apart.

Sanga batted beautifully in Colombo. From the start he found the rhythm all batsmen seek, and with it came a blend between defence and attack often found in men on top of their games  . His approach in the dying embers of the first day told a tale. By then South Africa had fallen back and harmless spin was being sent down from both ends. After many hours batting under a steamy sun, the Lankan might easily have lost his head and perchance his wicket. But danger lurked in the form of the second new ball. Accordingly the leftie rejected the opportunity presented by the mild tweakers and contented himself with accepting such runs as came along . Although his partner fell in the twilight, Sangakkarra lived to fight another day, a strategy that was duly rewarded.

Sangakkarra's performance in his capital city was the most impressive of an already distinguished career. In his own way he brings class and combativeness to the Sri Lanka team, a contribution that compliments the stoicism displayed by his new captain. In so many ways he is everything his country needs to be, bright, cosmopolitan, proud, thoughtful, unafraid and progressive. Happily these elements have ben released in this young man of his times. Perhaps it will prove to be contagious.

Sivali boxers win T.B. Jayah trophy

The lads from Ratnapura continued to win the hearts of boxing lovers, when they beat the No. 1 school boxers, Royal College to grab the TB Jayah Memorial trophy by securing 33 points. The team from Royal had to be contented with 2nd position by securing 24 points and the Kingswood Kandy team was placed 3rd with 22 points.

The Sivalians secured 3 gold, 1silver and 5 bronze medals at the recently concluded tournament. It was also the 5th time that Sivali won this trophy. 

In a ceremony to felicitate the boxers of Ratnapura, Managing Director of Caltex Mr. Kishu Gomes said "I read in the papers that Sri Lanka would be looking at fielding a boxer for the 2008 Olympics. Our hope and wish would be that boxer to be from Ratnapura Sivali". He also noted that the progress made by the boxers has been commendable, since they have managed to win most of the tournaments they have participated in. However, as the sponsor, Caltex's decision to partner these boxers from Ratnapura has paid dividends with the team performing and realizing the importance of such organization's efforts. It is admirable to note that the school has been able to develop a girls team for boxing spinning off the assistance rendered. The school has made it customary to thank the sponsors when they have won tournaments by presenting the sponsor with the trophy and show gratitude for the support received. Today is one such occasion!

Deputy Principal Mr. K A S Gunaratne gave a brief history... though boxing began in 1970 with one student it was in the 1980's that one student managed to win one weight class in the Stubbs Shield. It was in 1994 with 2 special lads W Wasantha Kumara and W Samith Kumara who came from Joseph Vaas and went on to win the Stubbs Shield that the school authorities took a serious decision to commence boxing in the school as a sport and game. Special mention was given to the then principal WM Gunathileke who was the backbone in persuading the game in school. 

Also the coach of Sivali Boxing, Wasantha Kumara stressed that though Sivali is the defending champion of the Cadet Championship trophy he gave a solemn promise that his team would bring the Cadet Championship trophy for 2004. This is the promise of delivery to the sponsors who have helped them so far. Currently the boxers are physically and mentally fit and are trying out for the trials of the Asian Cadet championship that will be held in Vietnam this year in October. He hoped that the most number of boxers for the junior national boxing pool would be from Ratnapura Sivali.

Caltex is proud that Ratnapura Sivali has been able to produce boxers not only of the calibre of school champions, but national and international level boxers who have been able to perform at SAF level games. 

HSBC Premier Golf Classic 

HSBC Premier customers teed off at 1:30 p.m. on 30 July in the hope of winning the much coveted prize of one million air miles for scoring a hole-in-one at the first ever HSBC Premier Golf Classic, which was held at the Royal Colombo Golf Club. Although no one was lucky enough to win this award the crowning glory of the tournament was the moment when the grand prize winner, Sumal Perera, walked away with the handsome prize of a hospitality package for two (including air tickets), to watch the HSBC sponsored World Match Play Championship at Wentworth, UK in October this year.

In accordance with Stableford rules the HSBC Premier Golf Classic will began with a shot-gun start at 1:30 p.m. and continued till 6:00 p.m. Adding to the glamour of the event, participants were invited to cocktails and an evening of camaraderie at the Club House after the tournament.

The grand prize winner of the HSBC Premier Golf Classic is in for a treat, getting the opportunity to watch the world's number one player, Tiger Woods, and defending champion Ernie Els in action in October. This year's HSBC World Match Play Championship promises to be even more exciting than the last, with the field for the 2004 HSBC World Match Play Championship at Wentworth Club being increased from 12 to 16 players. There will be eight matches, from October 14 to 17, involving all 16 players, on the first day with all matches continuing to be decided over 36 holes. 

Opening ceremony of Athens Olympics 2004

On 13 August, the biggest celebration of the world began at the Athens Olympic Stadium. Exactly at 20:45, the opening ceremony of the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games signalled the return of the Olympic Games to the country where they were born and revived.

It will be the beginning of a celebration that will last for 16 days, with the Olympic spirit and the athletic achievements dominating and with the athletes' emotions competing peacefully to overcome themselves.Concept Creator and Artistic Director of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Athens Olympic Games is Dimitris Papaioannou.

The 40 year old dancer and founder of "Omada Edafous" dance group has stated about his "mission": "What I have been asked to do now for my country and to memorialise my country makes me extremely proud. I feel fortunate to have the finest calling a man could have".

In the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Athens participate 8,000 performer volunteers and 2,000 artistic and technical support volunteers, as well as famous artists.

Among them is DJ Tiesto, who perform his DJ-set live in the Olympic Stadium in Athens for approximately 90 minutes. This includes new tracks, produced especially for the Opening Ceremony, and songs that have been tailored to compliment the spirit of the ceremony.

In connection with his participation in the opening ceremony, DJ Tiesto said: "I am honoured to be to be part of the biggest sports event in the world. The fact that the Games are returning to their birthplace and to the city where they were revived makes Athens 2004 very special".

During the opening celebration the 202 national delegations were expected to parade in the Olympic Stadium in alphabetical Order (according to the Greek alphabet).

Noritake July monthly medal at Victoria

With over sixty players participating, the Noritake Cup - Lectra Grand Prix - July Monthly Medal was played at the picturesque Victoria Golf and Country Resort in Rajawella, on 31 July.

This is the second consecutive year; Noritake Porcelain has come forward to sponsor the July monthly medal at Victoria Golf Club.

Roshan Dias, who returned an excellent nett 60 to win the NoritakeCup. Klaes Rasmussen laid claim to the runners up position by carding a nett 64. Whilst the following players returned noteworthy scores - Sahil Malhotra Nett 68, Rohan De Silva Nett 70 and Srinivas Rao Nett 71 

In the Gross Division Ian Tait on a count back won the title with Srinivas Rao settling for the runners up position.

The ladies division title went to Manori Jayakoddy who returned a Nett 65. Indira Tibblin scored a nett 68 to capture the runners up title. Noteworthy scores returned were Suven Selvaratnam Nett 69, Sandie McAndrew Nett 70, Usha De Silva Nett 72 and Roshini Sangani Nett 72

In the nine-hole competition for junior players under 14, Maleena Awn emerged as the winner. The Chairman of Noritake Porcelain Mr. Horozawa and the Head of Marketing at Noritake Porcelain Mr. Ranjan Vitharana graced the awards ceremony. 

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