Five Sri Lankan athletes, including Asian Games medallist Tharushi Karunarathna and Javelin thrower Dilhani Lekamge, have qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.
Sri Lanka’s contingent consists of athletes competing in Badminton, swimming, and track and field events.
Viren Nettasinghe, who recently made history by becoming the youngest Sri Lankan to directly qualify for the Olympics, will compete in the Badminton Men’s Single.
In the track and field events, middle-distance runner Tharushi Karunarathna has qualified to compete in the Women’s 800 m event.
Sri Lanka’s highest-ranked athlete for the Paris Olympics, Dilhani Lekamge, currently ranked 26th out of a possible 32 qualifiers, will compete in the Women’s Javelin Throw.
In Swimming, Universality Places have been offered to Kyle Abeysinghe to compete in the Men’s 100m Freestyle and Ganga Seneviratne for the Women’s 100m Backstroke.
Meanwhile, three other Sri Lankan athletes have been placed as probable selections depending on various qualification criteria.
Athlete Aruna Dharshana, holding a world rank of 51, may be able to compete in the Men’s 400m event, if three athletes withdraw and he receives qualification by moving into the group of 48 qualified athletes.
Former Olympian and South Asian record holder, Sri Lanka’s Yupun Abeykoon may be able to qualify for the Men’s 100m if a male athlete fails to qualify, resulting in him receiving a Universality Place.
Javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga may be able to compete in the Men’s Javelin Throw based on his recent achievement.
The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris is scheduled to take place from 26 July to 11 August 2024. (Newswire)