Sports Ministry gets boost ahead of Paris Olympics

By Susil Premalal  

Sports Minister Harin Fernando has allocated a sum of Rs. 300m under a special Cabinet approval to make way for Sri Lankan athletes to obtain Olympic Qualification for the 2024 Paris Games.   
The 2024 Olympic Games will be held from July 26 to August 11 and the Paralympics Games will be followed from August 28 to September 8 in Paris, France.  
The Director General of the Department of Sports Development of the Ministry of Sports Dr. Shemal Fernando said that the allocated funds were released among the 58 athletes and their coaches preparing for the Paris Olympic Games and the Paralympics Games.  
Meanwhile, the wildcard entry system has been discarded at this year’s Olympics and as a result, all athletes need to reach the required qualifying mark to participate in their respective events.   
Fernando lamented that no Sri Lankan athletes have qualified to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.   
“The Sports Ministry has provided all facilities including board and lodging, medical facilities and air tickets for the athletes to compete at international events and the national sports associations should now perform their responsibilities,” Dr. Fernando said.