Normally running on the beach is done to maintain fitness levels and enhance their performances of athletes and other sports. Especially rugby players run on the beach to strengthen their power of the legs and build stamina.
However, now athletic events have been conducted at the Asian Beach Games on two previous occasions in 2014 and 2016 but this is the first time that Sri Lanka will enter athletes at the Sanga 2020 sixth Asian Beach Games to be held in China from November 26 to December 5. This is done with the instructions of the Sports authorities of the country.
President of the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka (AASL) Maj. Gen. Palitha Fernando said that they are keen to send a team but will exempt the top athletes or the relay teams due to exposure to injury.
He added that the top athletes are targeting to qualify for the Olympics and other major championships next year.
Though the tracks are prepared with pressed sand at the two previous editions, running on the sand is very different. An official who was present at the 2016 Asian Beach Games said that conditions were very similar to those of some grass venues where our athletes train.
“The run-ups at Kotawila Stadium in Matara, Polonnaruwa or Badulla where the last three national sports festivals were held were much worse that what we saw at the Asian Beach Games.
Therefore our athletes will perform better on those tracks,” said this official who wished to remain anonymous.
In those solid conditions in 2016 the 60 metre gold medallist had clocked an impressive 6.44 seconds, the long jump winner had leapt 7.53 metres while the triple jumper had attained 16.63m.
A total of 14 gold medals will be on offer for men and women athletes.
The events to be worked out are 60m, 4x60m, long jump, triple jump and cross country.