Beijing Olympiad: Yu Fang's pain continues

Yuan Yu Fang had to pull out because of stomach cramps.

IF disqualifications, dengue fever and a heart murmur floored walker Yuan Yu Fang before, stomach cramps were the cause yesterday as the naturalised Malaysian saw her Beijing Olympics dream come to a shuddering halt after 14 kilometres of the women's 20km.

Yu Fang, already way off the pace by then, just couldn't bear the pain in drenching rain and surrendered.

"I first started feeling the pain at around the six-kilometre mark but I was determined to go on," said the multiple Sea Games gold medallist.

At best, all that Yu Fang was hoping for was maybe a top 20-finish in the 48-walker field and a time better than her national record of 1:32.25s.

But that was not to happen.
"At the 14-kilometre mark, the pain became unbearable and try as I did, I just couldn't continue. I know I have disappointed the country but please understand that this was beyond my control."

As expected, world champion Olga Kaniskina of Russia led from start to finish to add the Beijing Games title to her trophy cabinet by finishing in an Olympic record time of 1:26.31s.

Silver went to Norway's Kjersti Tysse Platzer (1:27.07s) and bronze to Elisa Rigaudi (1:27.12s) of Italy.

As for Yu Fang, the time has come to decide on her future.

A fourth Olympics appearance has to be ruled out, even if Yu Fang remains keen, as Malaysia has to find replacements for the 32-year-old.

Though not as successful as some of the China-born athletes that Singapore has imported, Yu Fang has done her part with medals at the Asian and Commonwealth levels and she should now focus on coaching and grooming successful walkers for Malaysia.

Yu Fang's stomach cramps completed a poor outing for athletics as men's high jumper Lee Hup Wei could only register a best height of 2.20m while women's pole vaulter Roslinda Samsu exited with 4.30m. Both are Asian champions with Hup Wei's national record 2.30m and Roslinda's 4.40m.