The Island’s Olympians were inaugurated at an event held at the National Olympic house, Colombo 7 with the participation of Minister of Sport Mr. Dayasiri Jaysekara who was the chief guest of the event and guest of honor Brazilian ambassador to Sri Lanka, Elizabeth-Sophie Mazzella di Bosco Balsa.
The Olympic contingent was minus 04 athletes, who are currently training outside Sri Lanka in preparation for the summer games. Shuttler Niluka Karunaratne, Marathoner Niluka Rajasekara, Shooter Mangala Samarakoon, Judoka Chamara Dharmawardana and Javelin thrower Sumedha Ranasinghe were present at the event.
Mr. Hemasiri Fernando, President of the National Olympic Committee, welcomed the gathering and congratulated the 9 athletes who will represent Sri Lanka at the prestigious Olympic Games and spurred them on to greater success. “Your talent, dedication and commitment have brought you here. Now you have a chance to become true Olympians, that honor is determined not by whether you win but by how you compete. Character counts far more than medals and competing at the Olympic Games is a tremendous achievement, whatever the result.”
Addressing the gathering next Minister Jayasekara mentioned that it was pleasure as the Minister of Sports to felicitate and encourage the athletes who will represent Sri Lanka at Rio Olympics 2016. Speaking on the Olympic Games and the Ministry’s future plans the Minister added that “As a small Island nation Sri Lanka has been victorious in the world stage twice through Duncan White in 1948 and Susanthika Jayasinghe at the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Since Susanthika’s medal in 2000 there has been a 16 year long wait for a medal and I believe that the athletes here have received the best support we could provide as the Sports ministry during the last year. Also we have started numerous programs with an eye for the future. We will identify approximately 375,000 kids under the age of 13 with talent and we plan on making a pool of 50,000 young athletes to be groomed for the 2020 & 2024 Olympics. Like this year, we have always had a contingent of around 9 athletes, our aim is to increase this number to 24-25 athletes by the next edition.”
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Chef de mission and the Brazilian ambassador to Sri Lanka Ms Elizabeth-Sophie Mazzella di Bosco Balsa addressed the gathering and thanked the National Olympic Committee for inviting her to meet the Sri Lankan delegation to Rio. She mentioned that the Republic of Brazil and her fellow countrymen welcome the Sri Lankan contingent to Rio 2016 with arms open wide. Dismissing global concerns over the preparation of the host country, she asserted that “I know that logistics and security are great concerns & legitimate concerns. But let me tell you Brazil have already established capacity to organize major events, Ever since my country organized the United Nations conference for environmental development also known as the Rio EARTH summit in 1992 Brazil has gained an unequal expertise into organization of mega events. Lately Brazil has seen the Pan American games in 2007, World Military games in 2009 and the World Cup in 2014(Football)and have received unanimous praise for logistics and safety put in place by the Brazilian government. This time, in coordination with the international agencies, Brazil has created a solid safety and anti-terrorism program to ensure that the Olympic Games will take place in absolute peace and safety. ”
The Athletes were then handed their clothing gear for the summer games, financial grants and special tokens by the sponsors. Delivering the vote of thanks the Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee Mr. Maxwell De Silva profusely thanked the media and the sponsors who have backed the Olympic committee and mentioned that they have received encouraging support from the Ministry as well. Mr. De Silva also added that “It is now up to these courageous athletes to give it all and make the motherland proud”.
