No hopes for Sri Lanka at Rio Olympics say Minister of Sports and NOC President
Rifle shooter Mangala Samarakone and Coach Pushpamali Ramanayake proceeded to Rio, Brazil on Friday. The rest of the Sri Lankan contingent is scheduled to take wing to Brazil on August 1 at 7.50 pm.
The Sri Lankan team is being led by senior marathon runner Anuradha Indrajit Cooray. This is his third Olympic outing. Previously he represented Sri Lanka at the2004 Athens and 2012 London Olympics.
Anuradha Indrajit had trained in Kenya and was scheduled to return to Sri Lanka on Saturday.
The Chief-De-Mission of the Sri Lanka team is Olympic Secretary Maxwell De Silva. Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera, Ministry Secretary Dr. D.M.R.D. Dissanayake and Director General Saman Bandara. The Sports Ministry will be represented by the last named trio.
Gamini Jayasinghe, Deputy Chef-DeMission and NOC Vice President Deva Henry will take part as NOC delegates. NOC President Hemasiri Fernando too will be at the Olympics representing the National Olympic Committee.
Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera said that there is no hope whatsoever at the Rio Olympics. “There was no plan regarding the Olympics when I took over the Sports Minister’s post. My vision is to aim for the 2020 and 2024 Olympics. Nine athletes are proceeding for the Olympics and five of them are wildcards. Only four have qualified. It is up to them to show their capabilities.
“We have launched a talent search for under 13 athletes. We are hoping that they will bring home a medal,” concluded Dayasiri Jayasekera.
207 countries are vying for honours at the Rio Olympics this year. This amounts to 10, 293 athletes who have already confirmed their participation. The event will be from August 5 to 21 featuring 306 events and 28 events.
From South Asian countries except Bhutan, are taking part. India is sending 120 athletes for the Games. Sri Lanka – 9, Pakistan and Nepal – 7 each, Bangladesh – 3, Maldives – 2 and Afghanistan – 1. Brazil, the host country, has the the largest number of participants which is 465, followed by Germany 425, China 413, Australia 410 and France 404.
Sumeda Ranasinghe (Javelin), Geethani Rajasekera (Women’s marathon) – These three have qualified. Swimming: Mathew Abeysinghe (qualified), Kimiko Raheem (wild-card), Niluka Karunaratne, Badminton (wild-card), Chamara Nuan Dharmaratne, Judo (wild-card), Mangala Samarakone (Rifle Shooting) wild-card, Sudesh Pieris (Weightlifting – wild-card).