Differently-abled athletes aims for medals

Yasaratne GAMAGE

Eleven differently-abled Sri Lankan athletes (nine men and two women) have reached the Paralympic qualifying standards, fielding the most number of Lankans at the Games. The 2012 Paralympics will be held two weeks after the London Olympics at the same venues. Seven of the male athletes represent Sri Lanka Army while two men and two women are from Rehab Lanka SC. This was announced at a press briefing held at Young Women's Christian Association Auditorium in Kollupitiya.

They will start their training as a pool at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Sports Complex in Diyagama, Homagama from June 25.

Speaking at the occasion, National Paralympic Committee President Brigadier Rajeeva Wickramasinghe said that this is a unique opportunity for Sri Lanka to go for a Paralympic medal which will be equally valued to an Olympic medal.

Except for athletics, Sri Lanka will hope to field competitors for power lifting, shooting, wheelchair tennis and archery at the London Paralympic Games.

The International Paralympic Committee will decide how many slots will be offered to Sri Lanka by June 15. Brigadier Wickramasinghe said that there is greater hopes for at least five athletes to compete in London.

Sri Lanka is hoping to compete in three track and field categories. The last occasion when Sri Lanka came closer to a medal was when swimmer Priyadarshana finished fourth in Athans in 2004 in a mens backstroke event.