Sri Lanka Athletics makes late request to include Yodasinghe’s name for Olympic ‘universality place’

by Reemus Fernando 

Sri Lanka Athletics’ over reliance on Italy based sprinter Yupun Abeykoon and other top athletes has placed the sports governing body in a bit of a quandary regarding its possible ‘wildcard’ in the men’s category for the Paris Olympics.

Sri Lanka Athletics had entered the name of Yupun Abeykoon for the ‘universality’ (wildcard) place in the event no male athlete qualify for the Paris Olympics. But with Yupun Abeykoon still recovering from an injury, the athletics governing body is facing an unexpected situation.

Sri Lanka Athletics is expecting for the possible withdrawal of top athletes in the men’s 400 metres for the sprinter Aruna Dharshana to get in to the top 48 in the ‘Road to Paris 24’ Olympic rankings. Currently he is  ranked 51st position.

In the event no male athlete qualifies for the Olympics, sprinter Chamod Yodasinghe should be the country’s choice as he is the leading 100 metres sprinter. The ‘universality’ place is offered in the 100 metres. However Yodasinghe’s name had not been entered in the ‘long list’ sent to the International Olympic Committee as Yupun Abeykoon was the top sprinter by that time.

“We have requested the National Olympic Committee to include Yodasinghe’s name as Abeykoon is not fully fit,” a leading official of Sri Lanka Athletics told The Island.

However according to tough IOC protocols an athlete’s name should be in the ‘long list’ for him to be eligible for selection.