Sri Lanka Athletic team heads to France for Paris Olympic

The Sri Lanka Athletic Team, led by 37-year-old international medalist and veteran women's athlete Dilhani Lekamge, is set to depart for France today to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. 

The 33rd edition of the Olympic Games will take place from July 26 to August 11 in Paris, France.

The Sri Lankan contingent, comprising three athletes, two swimmers, and one badminton player, is the second largest from the South Asian region, following India.

Shuttler Viren Nettasinghe, along with swimmers Kyle Abeysinghe and Ganga Senevirathna, have already arrived in Paris with their respective coaches. The athletic contingent includes Dilhani Lekamge (women's javelin throw), Tharushi Karunarathna (women's 800m), and Aruna Dharshana (men's 400m), accompanied by coaches Pradeep Nishantha, Susantha Fernando, and Asanka Rajakaruna.

The Sri Lanka Athletic Team Manager, Saman Gunawardena, is scheduled to leave for Paris on July 30.

Sources from the athletic coaches have indicated that the main goal for the Sri Lankan athletes is to qualify for the second round of their respective events.

Nettasinghe will compete in the men's singles group stage event on July 27. Senevirathna will take part in the women's 100m backstroke heats on July 29, while Abeysinghe will compete in the men's 100m freestyle heats on July 30.

Track and field events at the Paris Olympic Games will run from August 1 to 11. Karunarathna will compete on August 2 in the women's 800m first round, Dharshana on August 4 in the men's 400m first round, and Lekamge on August 7 in the women's javelin throw qualification event.