Asian athletes to compete tomorrow with eyes on Olympics

Guwahati, Jun 22 (UNI) The top athletes from across Asia will compete in the second leg of the Asian Grand Prix here tomorrow with a view to qualifying for the world champions and Olympics.

While long jump made way for triple jump as the highlight event this season, the relay events had been included for the Asian athletes to gain the qualifying grades for the Beijing Olympics.

Talking to newsmen here today, Athletic Federation of India (AFI) secretary Lalit Bhanot said, '' The grand prix will provide the athletes to qualify for the Osaka World Championship and the Beijing Olympics. '' More than 200 athletes from 20 countries will be participating in the second leg of the Asian Grand Prix here tomorrow in 22 events.

Of the total events, 17 carry prize money for the top three performers.

While the first prize carried US 1500 dollar, the second and third were worth US 00 and 500 dollar respectively.

Mr Bhanot informed that a number of top-line players would be seen in the second leg, including India's Anju Bobby George, China's Xue who holds the Asian Games record in javelin throw, high jumpers Aitova Marina from Kazakhstan and Kim Young Min from South Korea in high jump and Xie Limie of China in triple jump.

The first leg of the Grand Prix was held in Bangkok, while Pune will host the third and final leg.

UNI