Susanthika Jayasinghe

Described as Sri Lanka's 'wonder girl', Susanthika Jayasinghe made history in the Sydney Olympics by becoming the first Sri Lankan woman to win an Olympic medal. Susanthika clocked 22.28 seconds in the women's 200 meter finals at Sydney to win the bronze medal, and missed the silver by only 0.01 seconds.

Jayasinghe was a surprise winner of the 200m silver medal in the 1997 World Championships, becoming the first Sri Lankan to win a major medal since 1948. She has also won medals at 1995 Asian Championships and 1994 Asian Games.

Susanthika was given V.I.P treatment when she returned to Sri Lanka from Athens after the world championships. But when she was tested positive for drugs, she was condemned by Sri Lakan government and media. She was cleared of all charges after a long legal battle. But she decided to leave Sri Lanka after this incident. She now trains in LA, California with her new coach Tony Campbell.

Newsclips & Links

Born: 17 Dec 75
Height: 168 cm/ 5' 6"
Weight: 54 kg / 119 lbs


Vital stats and timings from the IAAF website.

The school race that changed her life.

Susanthika sets track ablaze. Nov 98.



The women's 200 m finals report from the official Olympics website.

Jayasinghe's road to the bronze at Sydney. (and her 100m attempts).

A bit of foolishness to ease the tension. Jayasinghe in a news conference with Marion Jones and Pauline Davis-Thompson, talks about being sexually harassed.

Sri Lankan Olympic medallist greeted by controversy at home. Washington Post, 9 Oct 00.

Asian Games & World Championships

Rapid rise, fall and rise of Susanthika Jayasinghe. Tribune India, 11 Dec 98.

World Championships, Athens, 1997. Jayasinghe claims the 200m silver. From Runners World Daily, 8 Aug 97.

Jayasinghe pulls out of the 100m at the Bangkok Asian games.

Records and medals

All-time women's best 60 m. indoor times. Jayasinghe's at 7.09 seconds, in 1999.

Jayasinghe holds the Asian records for the 60m indoor sprint

The relay team of Jayasinghe, Marion Jones, Inger Miller and Falilat Ogunkoya, sponsored by Nike, win. Penn Relay Carnival, April 1999.

Women's 200 m outdoor times.

Asia all-time lists

The drug and harassment controversies

Jayasinghe's running career and the drug/harassment controversies. A summary from the Washington Post, 9 Oct 00.

Games politicians play. Nov 1997.

Jayasinghe to name her harasser.

Smile of deception or of innocence. Dec 1998.

Jayasinghe eligible to compete in Bangkok Asian Games.

Jayasinghe an army deserter