Tharushi and Dilhani qualify for Paris Olympics

BY SUSIL PREMALAL

Hangzhou Asian Games Gold Medallist Tharushi Karunarathna (Women’s 800m) and Asian Games Bronze Medallist Dilhani Lekamge (Women’s javelin throw) have qualified to participate at the 2024 Paris Olympics Games, the IAAF officially announced today.

Karunarathna was placed in 45th position while Lekamge was placed in 26th position according to the IAAF World Rankings.

The Paris Olympic Games will be held from July 26 to August 11 in France.

The IAAF have already named 48 competitors for the Women’s 800m event including wildcard entries while 32 competitors will participate in the Women’s javelin throw event.

The direct qualifying time set by the IAAF for the Women’s 800m is 1:59.30s and the direct qualifying distance for the Women’s javelin throw is 64.00m.

The direct qualifying standards for the Paris Olympic Games athletic events expired on June 30.

Meanwhile, South Asia’s fastest sprinter and Birmingham Commonwealth Games Bronze Medallist Yupun Abeykoon has given up hopes of qualifying for the Paris Olympic Games through a wildcard
entry.

However, elite athlete Aruna Dharshana could still make it to the Paris Olympic Games in the Men’s 400m event under the IAAF World Rankings and his fate will be decided on July 4, Sri Lanka Athletic sources revealed today.

Dharshana is currently placed in 51st position in the Men’s 400m IAAF World Rankings and depending on the other athletes he may stand a chance of finishing among the top 48competitors.