Tharushi to run at Paris Games on Aug. 2

Tharushi Karunarathna (left) with her coach

By Susil Premalal   

Hangzhou Asian Games Gold Medallist Tharushi Karunarathna will come out for the first time at the 33rd Paris Olympic Games when she competes in the Women’s 800m heats on August 2.   

The track and field events of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games will commence on August 1 and will conclude on August 11 with the Stade de France set to host most of the events.  

1,810 athletes are set to participate in the Paris Olympic Games track and field events, which will include 48 different disciplines for both Men and Women.   

Meanwhile, international medallist Aruna Dharshana will make his appearance for the first time at the Paris Olympic Games on August 4 when he competes in the Men’s 400m heats.   
In addition, Hangzhou Asian Games Silver Medallist Dilhani Lekamge will compete in the Women’s javelin throw event on August 7.   

Tharushi, Aruna and Dilhani are currently going through their routine training sessions and preparations and their main goal is to qualify for the second round, sources from Paris revealed yesterday.   

The personal best performances for the Sri Lankan athletes are Karunaratne (Women’s 800m) 2:00.66s. Dharshana (Men’s 400m) 45.45s and Lekamge (Women’s javelin throw) 61.57m.  

India are fielding the largest athletic contingent for the Paris Olympic Games from the South Asian region with 17 Men and 10 Women vying for honours.