The Gambia Athletics Association has recorded a total of 18 gold, 13 silver and 10 bronze medals in regional, continental and international competitions held in 2007.

According to the association’s annual report, The Gambia participated in five international competitions, won these medals and reached the semi-finals and final in some events.

Apart from the medals won during the Zone II cadet championship in Freetown, in May this year and the Solidarity Athletic meeting in Guinea Bissau in June as stated in the report, personal best records and national records were also set by different athletes in the African games in Algeria, African Championship in Ouagadougou and the IAAF World Championship in OSAKA.

The reports indicate that three new national records were set, including two by Ansu Sowe in the 1,500m and 3,000m and the 4 x 400 relay team.

Five personal best records were also set in the men’s 100m, 200m and 4000m, three season’s best records in the men’s 800m and women’s 1000m.

The report further went on to say that with more exposure and preparation beyond the sub-region, Suwaibou Sanneh, who set two Personal Best times in 100m and 200m during the all Africa games in Algeria and Momodou Lamin Kujabi in the 400m, can achieve the qualifying standards for the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.

The Gambia athletics Association linked these achievements mainly to the sacrifice and dedication of the coaches who made enough sacrifice in the daily training of the athletes at the Stadium.