Packed schedule for top athletes as deadline nears for Olympic qualification

by Reemus Fernando

Country’s top athletes seeking Olympic qualification will have a packed competition schedule with the likes of Aruna Dharshana and Tharushi Karunaratne slated to compete in at least four events including the 102nd National Athletics Championship this month.

Dharshana (400m), Karunaratne (800m), Gayanthika Abeyratne (800m), Nadeesha Ramanayake (400m) and Dilhani Lekamge (javelin) will commence their first competition of the month in Chinese Taipei today. The latter will then take part in the Asian Throwing Championship in South Korea (June 14, 15 & 16).

Leading 400m sprinters Dharshana and Kalinga Kumarage and Tharushi Karunaratne are scheduled to compete in a ‘C’ grade meet in Spain on June 18.

Dharshana will have a silver label competition in the Bahamas where he will brush shoulders against some of the best sprinters in his pet event.

The 102nd National Championships will be held on June 25, 26 and 27. It will be crucial for all athletes as it provides a valuable opportunity to earn big points on home soil. With the qualification period for Olympics closing on the 30th of June all top athletes will be eager to do their best at the flagship track and field event.

Sri Lanka Athletics has also registered with World Athletics an ‘E’ grade competition just after the nationals to provide the top athletes a chance to have a go at the Olympic qualifying standards for the last time before the qualifying period ends on June 30.