Lankan contingent to Tokyo Olympics will comprise 15 says NOC chief

Monday, 31 May 2021 00:07 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

NOC Sri Lanka President Suresh Subramaniam

National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Sri Lanka President Suresh Subramaniam said that the total contingent of Sri Lanka for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo is 15 and nothing more.

A media release posted on NOC Sri Lanka’s website states: “NOC Sri Lanka will be sending an eight-strong contingent of athletes and their Coaches, Managers, Masseurs, and Admin officials making it a maximum of 15 to Tokyo 2020.”

“So how can anyone say that we are taking 58 officials to accompany two athletes to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, it is bunkum,” said Subramaniam. “This story of 58 officials going for the Olympics is a fabricated one because we refused to take an official from the Ministry of Sports,” explained the NOC chief.

“Let me explain, the NOC wrote to the Ministry of Sports that the IOC wants to give vaccinations for NOC officials. Our letter was sent for officials of athletes, and the balance to whomever they want to nominate for the vaccination, which has nothing to do with the Tokyo Olympics.”

Subramaniam said that till now six have qualified to represent Sri Lanka at the Olympics in six different disciplines.

“By next week or so I am expecting that number to go up to about 8, 10 or 11. The total contingent is 15 and officials only coaches, trainers and doctors. No NOC official is allowed to go this time,” said Subramaniam.

“Maxwell de Silva (NOC General Secretary) and I are going because we are invitees. I have to attend IOC meetings that are held during the Olympics. There are no expenses on anybody other than myself as I always pay for myself.”

Subramaniam said that unlike other times the Olympic Games that begin on 23 July, the competitors, trainers and coaches can come to the Olympic Village only one week before the commencement of the Games due to very strict rules in place because of COVID-19. On previous occasions they were allowed to come one month ahead of the start.

For the first time Sri Lanka has qualified for the equestrian event with Mathilda Karlsson who trains in Sweden qualifying on merit. The others who have qualified are Milka Gehani (gymnastics) and Tehani Egodawela (shooting).

According to the NOC Sri Lanka website: “Most likely there would be two slots allocated for swimming too. It would go to one male swimmer and one female swimmer. The most likely to fill this slot would be Mathew Abeysinghe Sri Lanka’s most decorated swimmer and Ms. Aniquh Gaffoor – the female swimmer.

“So far no one is qualified for Tokyo and in any case, it is most likely the two slots will be allocated to NOC Sri Lanka by IOC. Apart from the above, it is likely that two more universality places, afforded to Sri Lanka either in judo/ wrestling/ badminton or weightlifting thus making our team contingent to eight athletes.” (ST)