by Reemus Fernando

After receiving a red carpet reception on her arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport and having acknowledged the cheers of multitudes, who gathered in the streets from Katunayaka to Colombo, Susanthika Jayasinghe hit back at former sports administrators during a ceremony at the Sports Ministry at Reid Avenue accusing them of trying to disrupt her career.

While crediting her medal victory to the support she gets from masses Susanthika said that all injustices against her made her to work harder to reach the pinnacle again.

"All those criticisms and barriers made me strive hard to win medals, said Susanthika who put back the stress of an arduous four hour open truck journey.

"When I was nursing a fractured bone there was no body to help me and many thought that Susanthika’s reign was over. Even top officials turned their back on me. I experienced the bitter taste of being ignored," Jayasinghe said speaking her heart out.

Revealing that her athletic career was at risk of a premature ending, Susanthika said that it was only advice given by her husband made her to keep fighting.

"My husband stood by my like a pillar and advised me never to retire until I prove that I am capable of striking back. Dammika said that this county will not get a woman like me and motivated me to stay till I win another medal" she said.

She also revealed that her requests to get a sponsor fell on deaf ears. "When I asked for a sponsor they used to tell me that I did not need one. Despite being an Olympic medal winner I had times when I had no spikes to run. I had times when I didn’t have money for fuel," said Susanthika summarising her years of agony.

Then she declared her unwavering determination to win more medals stating that there won’t be any turning back. "Now there will be no turning back to Susanthika," she said adding that her pre-Olympic medal prophesies way back in 1996 too paid off and there were rhythmic nods from the main table that included two ministers and top officials of the Athletic Association.