Odds against Sri Lankan trio as they attempt Olympic qualifying standards in Osaka

by Reemus Fernando

After their first attempt to improve ‘Road to Paris 24’ rankings went awry last week, three of Sri Lanka’s top athletes will compete against odds to reach Olympic qualifying standards when they compete in Osaka, Japan.

Asian Games medallists Tharushi Karunaratne, Nadeesha Ramanayake and Kalinga Kumarage left for Osaka yesterday, three days ahead of the competition where they will vie to improve their rankings.

Last week Ramanayake produced a below par performance in the 400 metres and Karunaratne could not finish the 800 metres due to fatigue in Dubai. Gayanthika Abeyratne who also took part in the 800 metres finished last. She is not a part of the current contingent.

It is learnt that the athletes had to spend hours in a hotel lobby on their arrival in Dubai on the eve of the race until their booking was confirmed by the organisers. This time authorities have made arrangements to send the team days prior to the event but the odds are still against the trio.

Both Karunaratne and Ramanayake have spent the last seven days traveling (for competitions and to obtain visas) rather than training and resting. Last week Kumarage was down with flue but has recovered in time for the meet in Osaka.

With lack of training and rest between the competition in Dubai (May 3) and Osaka (12) it is doubtful whether these two athletes could reach their true potential in Japan.

Karunaratne needs to clock 1:59.30 seconds, which is better than her Sri Lanka record, if she is to accomplish direct Olympic qualifying standards or reach the best 48 in the ‘Road to Paris 24’ rankings. For Ramanayake, the direct qualifying standard is a (50.95) tough ask as it is even faster than Damayanthi Dharsha’s national record. She is currently in the 52nd position in the ‘Road to Paris 24’ rankings and she needs to enter the top 48 if she is to punch her ticket to Paris Olympics. She will be targeting to gain maximum points during the competition.

Kumarage will have two competitions in Japan. After competing in Osaka on Sunday he will stay in Japan for his second meet in Tokyo on May 19 and will travel to Thailand from there for the Asian Relays.

Kumarage has a personal best of 45.07 from July last year. He has to clock 45. seconds or improve on his current position (57) in the ‘Road to Paris 24’ rankings to achieve the Olympic qualifying standards.