The Sri Lankan 400x4 Men’s relay team’s participation at the World Athletics Relays in Bahamas, which was thrown into doubt, had been resolved, Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA) Secretary  Saman Kumara told The Daily Morning Sports. 

The relay team’s participation had been thrown into jeopardy, due to perceived delays on the part of the US Embassy in Colombo, to issue requisite visas, for the team to travel through the US, in time.

However, Kumara pointed out that the matter had been sorted out at the 11th hour, following timely exposure given to the team’s ordeal by the media and he said the SLA and the relay team were now able to heave a sigh of relief. 

The World Athletics Relays, which is a crucial Olympic qualifying event, for the world’s top-performing athletes from over 40 nations, is set to be worked off from 4-5 May, in Nassau, Bahamas.  

The SLA Secretary said following the delay on the part of the US Embassy here, to issue visas to the relay team, to travel to the Bahamas, it had prompted the SLA, to initially withdraw from the event.

The SLA Secretary, though, could not be drawn on, as to what had forced the US Embassy in Colombo, to delay issuing visas to the relay team, to head across to the States. 

It has also been revealed that the organisers of the World Athletics Relays in the Bahamas, had extended its official invitation to the SLA, to compete at the event, on 8 April.

Meanwhile, the US Embassy had informed the SLA, of its inability to grant visas, to the relay team, to travel across the United States, only on 30 April.

The SLA Secretary added that it is also the first time in athletics history, in this country, that one of its relay teams, had been invited to compete at an international event. 

Currently ranked 15th in the world, the country’s relay team will eye a slot among the top 14, to qualify for the Paris Summer Olympics this year, with the team also expected to compete at a similar event in Bangkok, on 21 and 22 May. 

The Sri Lankan 400x4 Men’ relay team, consists of five athletes and a coach and they include Rajitha Rajakaruna, Kalinga Kumarage, Aruna Darshana, Pasindu Kodikara, Dinuka Deshan, along with their trainer Daminda Bandara.