Supriati under therapy for injury

JAKARTA (JP): The country's best women's long-distance runner, Supriati Sutono, is undergoing therapy to heal an injury to her left sole, which she sustained at the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam early this month.

Supriati, who collected two golds in the 1,500 meters and 5,000m at the Games, fell on the 13th lap of the 10,000 meters.

Coach Nicky Pattiasina quoted Prof. Dr. Chaehab, an orthopedic surgeon, as saying that Supriati's muscles in the sole of her foot were badly injured and would take time to heal.

"The injury doesn't hurt anymore but doctors recommended that I undergo the therapy to avoid more injuries in the future," she told Antara during a therapy session at Halmahera Hospital in Bandung.

Supriati was admitted to the hospital on Aug. 21 to receive treatment from Dr. Bambang, at the recommendation of Dr. Chaehab, who treated her when she first returned from Brunei.

Her injury is healing but she undergoes daily therapy.

"After undergoing the therapy, I feel better. I'm still stretching and running in water but sometimes it still hurts," said the Army sergeant.

Supriati, the 1998 Asian Games gold medalist in the 5,000m, withdrew from the track and field World Championships in Seville, Spain, due to the injury.

She still has a chance of competing in the 2000 Olympics. Supriati must run under 15 minutes and 55 seconds in the 5,000 meters and under 33:20.00 in the 10,000m to meet requirements. (yan)