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Sun, 10 Dec 2023 Today's Paper
Lankan-born Aussie Gold Medalist wanted to withdraw from games
9 July 2023 10:10 pm - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
- Van Heer sad she had to leave Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan-born Australian Gold Medalist Tania Van Heer revealed that she almost withdrew from the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, where she eventually won multiple medals, including Gold.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror in Adelaide, Van Heer recalled that her position in the Australian team for the 1998 Commonwealth Games was challenged by Aboriginal Australian athlete Nova Maree Peris.
Peris took the issue to court causing disharmony in the Australian team and drawing wide media coverage.
Van Heer said the incident prevented the team from focusing on their training and matters on the field.
“I actually told the team management I want to go home. I said I had enough. I want to go home,” she said in an interview on the program ‘The Sri Lankan Story’.
Van Heer said that while she had the support of the team and the team management, she was concerned about the negative impact the issue was having on the rest of the team.
“I wasn’t happy. I was home sick,” she said.
However, the team management told her that if she withdraws then Australia will not have a 4x100 relay team or a 4X400 relay team for the games and it will result in a forfeit by Australia.
The court of arbitration had later ruled in favour of Van Heer and she took part in the games and brought glory to Australia and also made Sri Lanka proud.
Van Heer said that she was sad to have left Sri Lanka after the 1983 racial riots and continues to maintain a strong relationship with her home country.
She is also happy with what she was able to achieve in Australia as an athlete and hopes she can give back to both Australia and Sri Lanka. (Easwaran Rutnam in Adelaide)
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Comments - 14
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Gabriella Sunday, 09 July 2023 11:12 PM
This is what happens when you leave that godforsaken country. No honest person, without political connections, will ever fulfil their potential in Sri Lanka. Paradise for whom ?
Tissa Fernando Monday, 10 July 2023 12:54 AM
Her name does not sound like that she has to flee the country due to 1983 riots, but her parents may have used the opportunity to migrate at that time. But , that was a right thing to do and loot at you , you have been very successful in your new country. We are happy for you.
Unless wealthy, and having connection who would want to live here anymore Monday, 10 July 2023 02:16 PM
The riots of 1983 made it unpleasant for Sinhala people with long time traditional Sinhala surname look for better more peaceable environments too. Your supposed surname is from foreign country, and the you are obviously in Australia with your commending her to successful in that country.
A lot of racism in Australia to Sri Lankan origin from the Aboriginal Monday, 10 July 2023 06:48 AM
My children are in Australia, and I know there are quota for job and education system for the Aboriginal there that took away opportunities from my children and grandchildren. Even best qualified non-Aboriginal not given chance when there is an Aboriginal around. Now the Aboriginal want even more rights against immigrants with their Voice backed by the government there. My family member and all those of Sri Lankan origin they know of will all vote against it.
Dinesh Monday, 10 July 2023 11:13 AM
Absolutely not true to say that 'even best qualified non-Aboriginal not given chance when there is an Aboriginal around'. You have not received accurate information. I do not know of a deserving student who was not able to access tertiary education based on merit in Australia. I also can vouch that employment is based on merit. Possibly you may have received this information from someone with a serious chip on their shoulders. The voice referandum vote is yet to happen, but rather than gaining information based on rumour and political biases once should study the details for themselves and be educated before voting on it.
Joker Monday, 10 July 2023 08:01 AM
Over to you racist.. See how much srilanka has been loosing by this racial issues
Jude Monday, 10 July 2023 09:13 AM
Who cares what happened in 25 years ago!!
Brit Monday, 10 July 2023 10:57 AM
Says someone who cares about what happened at least 75 years ago.
BuffaloaCitizen Monday, 10 July 2023 09:15 AM
Don't be sad to leave Sri Lanka. We are all happy you have left this yakko country. If you were in SL, you would not have shined the way you have now. The best Sri Lanka would have done is send you as a housemaid to Middle East.
Sea Monday, 10 July 2023 11:48 AM
Why we talk about Other Nation when our Nation has tons of Problem !
DOT Monday, 10 July 2023 12:13 PM
Your initial cost from Sri Lanka. You did all the tricks to leave this country. You know the story better than orhers!
Gnanasara Monday, 10 July 2023 01:54 PM
If I am not wrong , she was an old girl of Methodist College, Colpetty.
Ramona Cherryl Thursday, 13 July 2023 06:37 AM
Reply from Brit to Jude above certainly hit the nail on the head!!
ANNECUNT Wednesday, 19 July 2023 01:06 PM
FOR YOUR INFORMATION SRI-LANKA IS RUINED BY ONE SINGLE FAMILY THE RAJAPAKA FAMILY
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