Lankans ready for Paralympics

Yasaratne GAMAGE

Seven Sri Lankan sportsmen and women have qualified to participate at the London2012 Paralympic Games, which starts on August 29 in London.

The 2012 Paralympic Games, which would feature over 4,200 athletes from 160 countries who will compete in 20 sports, will be held at the same venues where London 2012 Olympics were held.

Pradeep Sanjaya (200m, 400m - T46), Lal Pattiwila (high jump - F44), Dumeera Maduranga (200 m, long jump - T44), Amara Indumathie (women's 100m, 200m - T46), Lesley Liyanage (men's high jump - F42), Upali Rajakaruna and D M Gamini (wheelchair tennis) have been qualified to represent Sri Lanka.

Pradeep Sanjaya is rated ninth in the world ranking while Lal Pattiwila has secured fourth place in the world ranking for high jump among Para athletes. Dumeera Maduranga has been rated 19th. Amara Indumathi who is rated 11th in the women's 100m and 10th in the 200 m (T46) will be another hope for Sri Lanka. High jumper Lesly Liyanage who is in the fifth place in the world ranking and Upali Rajakaruna and D.M. Gamini are looking forward to give their maximum to bring honour to motherland. When categorizing paralympic games the letter “T” denotes track events while the letterÓF” stands for field events.

The lower the class number, the higher the level of disability and the higher the class number defines the lower level of disability.

The Sri Lankan athletes consists of those who represent F44 category - athletes with single below-knee amputation. Athletes with single above-elbow amputation, single below-elbow amputation will represent T46 category.

F42 category will be represented by athletes with single above-knee amputation.