The Sri Lankan sprint queen, who returned from an ankle injury to lead the athletics team at the 10th SA Games, told yesterday that the Games would be her first stage to return to form.

The athletics competition starts on August 24.

"I want to run faster. This is the Olympics for our nation and everybody is looking forward to seeing me," Susanthika told during a training session at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

She will compete in the 100 and 200 metres sprints and hoped to set new regional records.

The 30-year-old won a bronze in the 200m at Sydney Olympics in 2000 but for a hitch with the federation, was ignored for the Athens Games.

"My first target is to do well here. So I'll know about my chances in the coming Asiad and the Asian Championship. I need hard work if I have to fight for another Olympics medal," said the sweetheart of Sri Lanka, who won an Olympic medal for the islanders after a 52-year gap.

"The secret of success is having the self-belief and training hard. Most of the local athletes come from remote villages like me. And the federation gives us support within its limit. It is not enough. But everywhere in South Asia, the scene is similar," said Susanthika adding that she has decided to quit the tracks after 2008.