Celebrated Sri Lankan Olympic Contingent Honoured at NOC Ceremony

News Today: Sri Lankan Olympic Contingent Honoured at NOC Ceremony

The National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka held a ceremony to honour the 15-member Olympic contingent. The opening ceremony of the Olympic Games is on July 26th, with Dilhani Lekamge and Viren Nettasinghe as flag-bearers. The team, consisting of three athletes, three swimmers, eight officials, and one chef de mission, will participate in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, from July 26 to August 11.

The team includes competitors in badminton, swimming, and track and field events. Four athletes qualified through ranking points, and two received wildcard entries. This year marks the smallest contingent for Sri Lanka, with nine athletes participating in the 2016 and 2020 Games.

Participants include Viren Nettasinghe (badminton Men’s Singles), Ganga Senevirathne (swimming Women’s 100m backstroke), and Kyle Abeysinghe (Men’s 100m freestyle). Tharushi Karunarathne, Dilhani Lekamge, and Aruna Dharshana will represent Sri Lanka in the Women’s 800m, Women’s javelin throw, and Men’s 400m events, respectively.

Nettasinghe, ranked 74th globally, is the youngest direct qualifier. Senevirathne and Abeysinghe earned their spots with 688 and 776 FINA points, respectively. Lekamge, ranked 25th, is the highest-ranked Sri Lankan athlete. Karunarathne, a Gold Medalist in the 800m at the 19th Asian Games, ranks 44th, and Darshana, ranked 47th, is the first male Sri Lankan track athlete in 20 years to qualify for the 400m event.

Chandana Liyanage, Chef de Mission, expressed his excitement, stating: “Leading our talented athletes to Paris 2024 is momentous. Our athletes embody perseverance and dedication, inspiring future generations. We aim for success and celebrate Team Sri Lanka’s unity and strength.”