Taking up the Rio challenge

Sri Lanka will field a contingent of around ten members for the forthcoming summer Olympic Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in August. Already, three athletes have gained qualifying standards. They will be joined by two swimmers, a shooter and a

" We won the first ever medal in London Olympics1948, in the 400 metre hurdles by Duncan White. And after 52 years, Susanthika Jayasinghe won the second medal in the 200 metre event at Sydney Olympics 2000. The two medals that we won,I don't think it was done with a long term planning. After Susanthika won the silver medal in 200 metres at World Championships in Athens 1997, then only we realised that we are placed 6th in World rankings in 100 and 200 metre events. Then only we planned the future accordingly. This time there are only three athletes qualified for Rio. But these three athletes after qualifications in last three months, would not be able to win a gold medal at the recently concluded South Asian Games( SAG). They could not meet the timing they have set before at the SAG games. Hence how do we think of winning an Olympic medal? The SAG womens 100 meter gold medalist Rumeshika Ratnayake did not qualify for Rio due to poor timing in qualifiers. But the interesting point is, the Indian athlete Srabani Nanda, who won the silver medal improved her timing in qualifiers and is included in Indian contingent for Rio. From this events we can see, our athlete could not improve on her timing but the Indian athlete would be able to do so. Susanthika's achievement of winning the silver medal and the progress of other athletes, could be attributed to the performance of our athletes in the SAG of 1991 and 1993. The athletes in calibre of Susanthika Jayasinghe, Damayanthi Darsha, Sugath Thilakaratne, Prasanna Amarasekara and Rohan Pradeep Kumara, later went into win their respective events at Asian championships, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games and won medals. It was a very victorious decade of athletics for Sri Lanka. But presently we don't have a similar situation now. I think the root cause for this detrimental situation is, Minister of Sports is planning events. But it should be the other way around with Sports Ministry involving and planning events".

(Former National Athletic Coach and Retired Director of Institute of Sports Science)

"Though we are a tiny nation, in sports on the whole we have achieved greatness. Hence it is a major achievement by Sri Lanka. For instance in Olympics, so far we have clinched two medals in years 1948 and 2000, 1973-World Billiard championships,three cricket championships, 1996 Cricket world cup winners, 2002 ICC trophy joint champions and 2014 ICC T20 champions, 2006 Gold medal in weightlifting at Commonwealth games and 2012 World Carrom championships. Hence we have a very proud history as a small nation. With a sports background like this, even if we could not win a medal at Rio, if we have a long term plan surely we would be able to clinch a medal in the future Olympics. I think the best era in sports for Sri Lanka was the

(Senior Project Director, SOS Children's Village Sri Lanka)

R.A.Wimalasena Perera

"For 26 -years from 1966 to 1992, my marathon record was not broken. I don't think we have a chance of winning a medal again. For me it is a dream. Yes, it is true Duncan White and Susanthika Jayasinghe won silver medals. It was due to the background at that time. We may have won gold medals at South Asian Games (SAG). With this, winning gold medals at Olympics is not a reality at all. SAG is a relatively easier task in sports. Our main target should be Asian Games, and if not Commonwealth Games. For instance Susanthika Jayasinghe, first won medals at Asian Games and World Championships before winning the silver at Sydney Olympics in 2000. As we don't have a long term plan in all sports, we prepare ourselves

Dilhan Abeyratne

period between 1990's to 2000. If we had proceeded for that plan, we would be able to go for a medal in future Olympics. We have talented athletes in school level. We have to promote them and it is the duty of all responsible parties. If we have the full backing of state and mercantile sector, we would be able to achieve the decade of 1990's to 2000 in all sports. Also from coaching end,the techniques should be improved and they should be sent for international coaching clinics. Also our athletes should be disciplined, and have the commitment and determination to win. If we proceed like this with a perfect plan, it is not a dream for Sri Lanka winning medals at Olympics". for meet by meet in a very short time, and it does not meet the expectations at all. We have to participate in Olympics but there is no point sending dozen of athletes without proper qualifications plus dozen of officials. It is a complete waste of public money. Only three athletes went for the Mexico City Olympics in 1968. They were -- Sailing (Philip Wijewardena) Boxing (Hatha Karunaratne), who competed in Light fly weight and myself in the marathon. Today due to wild card entries, we can see dozens of officials taking the opportunity and traveling by wasting public money."

" Well, our chances are slim. I don't know about our medal situation at Olympics. It would be tough for our athletes and swimmers. We don't have athletes in calibre of Susanthika Jayasinghe to make a difference at International level. On the other hand, when speaking on golf, Mithun Perera is in the border line for selection for Rio Olympics. But winning a medal is not everything at Olympics.By participating is the most important thing.That is the Olympic ideology is all about."

"I think Sri Lankan team, if they are determined and raring to go, I am sure they have a outside chance of winning a medal at Rio Olympics. This is a nation that has produced two silver medallists. And we have been participating in Olympics since 1948. Hence I think if they can put their total effort, they won't be able to miss a medal. Also the timing, our athletes have clocked in South Asian Games (SAG), cannot be compared with the timing of Asian Games and World Athletic championships of same events. But still if they believe in themselves, they would be able to turn the tables on favourites".

(Marathon Runner at Mexico City Olympics in 1968) (Treasurer,Sri Lanka Golf Union) (Marketing Manager- JAT Holdings Pvt Ltd.)

Derwin Perera