The Department of Sports Development has acknowledged that Sri Lanka will not be able to field its promising Men’s 4x400m Relay Team in the Olympic Qualifier in the Bahamas.
Issuing a statement, the Director General of Sports Professor (Rear Admiral) Shemal Fernando said the team missed participation in the competition mainly due to the lack of preparations by Sri Lanka Athletics in terms of their travel for the competition.
Prof. Shemal Fernando revealed that there was a lapse on the part of Sri Lanka Athletics in following stringent United States visa procedures despite 06 months’ notice.
He further said that despite the intervention of the Sports Minister, including communications with the United States Embassy, the logistical hurdles remained insurmountable, leading to reporting the same to World Athletics by the Sri Lanka Athletics.
Prof. Fernando pointed out that the subsequent unavailability of one athlete and a coach in Colombo, coupled with medical concerns raised by another athlete had resulted in the decision to withdraw from the Olympic Qualifier in the Bahamas.
“It is imperative to acknowledge that proper planning and coordination by the respective National Sports Associations are fundamental to the success of such endeavours,” Prof. Shemal Fernando added.
The potential for Sri Lanka’s 4x400m Relay Team to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games was evident since their commendable performance at the Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China in 2023.
Accordingly, 6 of Sri Lanka’s top 400m athletes, Aruna Dharshana, Kalinga Kumarage, R. M. R. N. Rajakaruna, Pabasara Niku, P. M. P. L. Kodikara and Dinuka Deshan were included into the National High Performance under the programme, “Road to Olympics.”
The team inclusive of Aruna Dharshana, who has clocked the fastest time in Asia (45.30 secs) so far this year and Kalinga Kumarage (45.35 secs, second fastest time in Asia) are currently ranked 16th in the world in the men’s 4×400 metres relay by virtue of their record-breaking feat at the Asian Athletics Championship last year.
However, due to various issues and logistical hurdles, Sri Lanka’s 4x400m Relay Team has missed participation in the World Relays in the Bahamas, which will be held from May 4-5. (Newswire)
