November 01, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka will be represented by a contingent of 11 members, comprising five young athletes and six officials, at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games scheduled to take place in Dakar, Senegal, the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) has announced.
The national delegation will compete in four disciplines – athletics, swimming, badminton and taekwondo – providing the country’s emerging sporting talent with an opportunity to showcase their abilities on an international stage.
According to an official media statement issued by the NOCSL, the five athletes selected for the competition are G. D. Lahiru Achintha, who will contest the men’s 1,500 metres in athletics, and Julie D. Hope, who will take part in the women’s 50 metres freestyle swimming event.
Tarek C. Bluck has been selected for the men’s 200 metres freestyle, while Nethmi A. Ratnayake will represent Sri Lanka in women’s singles badminton. Completing the athletes’ line-up is Ashen N. Punchihewa, who will compete in the men’s 48kg category in taekwondo.
The team will be supported by three coaches responsible for preparing and guiding the competitors in their respective disciplines. P. E. Asitha Rishanka Darmarathna has been appointed athletics coach, A. G. Jeewaka Perera will oversee swimming, while M. E. Rasika Dharmapriya will take charge of taekwondo.
H. R. Chandrika De Silva has been included in the delegation as an official. Meanwhile, Rayan Weerakoon will undertake the responsibilities of Chef de Mission, with Gayan Nimanka named as Press Attaché.
The Dakar 2026 edition will represent a historic milestone for the Youth Olympic movement, as Senegal prepares to host the competition, marking the first occasion on which the Games will be staged on African soil.
Sri Lanka’s participation will cover a diverse range of sporting disciplines, bringing together competitors from athletics, aquatic sports, badminton and martial arts. The event will also provide the young representatives with valuable exposure to international competition and an opportunity to gain experience against athletes from around the world.
The selection of the five competitors and their accompanying officials marks another step in Sri Lanka’s preparations for the global youth sporting event.
