Nimali Liyanarachchi, one of Sri Lanka’s top middle-distance runners, has been granted a spot at the Olympics in the Women’s 800m via a Universality Place.
Liyanarachchi’s qualification was in doubt with Nilani Rathnayake being the front-runner to make it through to the Games by virtue of her World Ranking. However, with Rathnayake failing to maintain her position amongst the top 45 in the World in the Women’s 3000m Steeplechase, Sri Lanka Athletics has successfully nominated Liyanaarachchi for a Universality Place.
Liyanarachchi is an Asian Games Gold medalist and Asian Indoor Championship Silver medalist, who is currently ranked 84th in the World in the Women’s 800m.
Though unable to qualify by meeting the entry standard of 1:59.50 mins, or through the World Rankings, Liyanarachchi was able to secure the Universality Place* as a result of no other Sri Lankan female athlete qualifying in track and field.
Like many other athletes based in Sri Lanka, Liyanarachchi’s preparation was severely hampered by the lack of events in the country as the pandemic saw a number of championships cancelled.
Her personal best in the event stands at 2:02.58 mins which she achieved in 2017, while her Season’s best is 2:03.15 mins, achieved this April at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo.
*Under the universality rule, NOCs may enter one male athlete and one female athlete, regardless of time, if they have no athletes of that gender meeting the entry standard. These universality spots cannot be used in the combined events, the 10,000 metres, or the 3,000 metre steeplechase.
