SL elite athletes to vie at seven IAAF events

The Sri Lanka 4X400m Relay Team will be vying for honours at the Asian Relays in Thailand (File photo)

By Susil Premalal

The Sri Lanka elite athletes including the Men’s 4X400m Relay Team are set to compete in seven IAAF-approved international events in an attempt to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.    
These international events will be held from May 3 to June 15 in Dubai UAE, Tokyo – Japan, Osaka – Tokyo, Bangkok – Thailand, Chongqing – China, Taiwan and Mokpo – China.
All athletes who are in contention to obtain Olympic Qualification will participate in these international events, according to sources from Sri Lanka Athletic (SLA).    
However, SLA had to cancel their tour to the Caribbean Islands due to Visa issues, where the Men’s 4x400m relay quartet were set to participate at the World Relays, on May 4 and 5 at the Thomas Robinson Stadium in Nassau Bahamas.    
The Sri Lanka Relay Team composed of Aruna Dharshana, Kalinga Kumarage, Rajitha Rajakaruna, Dinuka Deshan and Pasindu Kodikara were set to compete at this meet to obtain qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.  
The international competitions: (May 3): UAE Grand Prix (Yupun Abeykoon, Tharushi Karunarathna, Nadeesha Ramanayake and Gayanthika Abeyrathna).
(May 12): Osaka - Japan 11th Kinami Michitaka Memorial Athletics Meet - (Tharushi Karunarathna, Nadeesha Ramanayake and Kalinga Kumarage).
(May 19): Tokyo – Japan: Seiko Grand Prix (Kalinga Kumarage).
(May 20-21): Bangkok, Thailand - Asian Relay Championships (22-member team to participate in all five relays).
(May 27-29): Chongqing, China: The second Belt and Road Athletics Invitation Meeting (Aruna  Dharshana and Dilhani Lekamge).
(June 1-2): Taiwan Open Championships (Aruna Dharshana, Tharushi Karunarathna, Nadeesha Ramanayake, Gayanthika Abeyrathna and Dilhani Lekamge).
(June 14-15) Mokpo, China: Asian Throwing Championships (Dilhani Lekamge and Sumedha Ranasinghe).