National Championship Stage 01 on 21st
ollowing new health guidelines where the country goes in to virtual lockdown from 21st from 11.00 p.m., Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA) has decided to hold Stage one of the National Athletics Championship on the 21st instead of 22nd and 23rd as scheduled earlier. Since several SL Athletes are on the verge of qualifying for the Olympics based on new World Athletics rankings, the Championship has become the most important competition of the year for Athletes, as it gives a bonus placing score of 100 points for 1st place, which becomes vital when calculating their world ranking positions.
3000m Steeplechase runner Nilani Rathnayaka is already in the qualification quota in 34th place while 45 athletes will be selected for the Olympics. Returning another good time at the National will be vital for her to further secure her position, as ranking is going to change drastically with several competitions happening worldwide in May and June targeting the Olympic Games deadline, which is 29 June.
At the Nationals all eyes will be on the Women’s 800m, as all three runners – Dilshi Kumarasinghe, Gayanthika Abeyrathne and Nimali Liyanarachchi – have an opportunity to secure an Olympic slot. Dilshi is ranked 66th, Gayanthika 61st and Nimali 57 where the top 48 will be selected for the Olympics. The gap between Nimali and the last qualified athletes is just 17 points, while Gayanthika has 25 and Dilshi has 32 points to cover, which is a possibility considering their recent form. Meanwhile, Javelin Thrower Sumedha Ranasinghe and 400m runner Nadeesha Ramanayaka too are within touching distance of qualifying, and a good performance will be vital for them.
SLA is also trying to send top athletes for overseas competitions targeting further points, and they have already requested Diamond League slots for them. SLA also stated they are trying to send a team to participate at the Kazakhstan Open, which is of similar category to the National Championship, with a bonus of 100 placing points up for grabs to the winner. Competition will be conducted strictly adhering to the DREAM Protocol, where only athletes and coaches will be allowed at the venue
