• Nadeesha Dilhani Lekamge – proud Sri Lankan flag bearer at the Paris Olympics

Nadeesha Dilhani Lekamge, a proud product of our island nation, who not only qualified for the ongoing 2024 Paris Olympics, but also was vested with the opportunity to proudly carry the Sri Lankan flag at the opening ceremony of the biggest global spectacle, will represent Sri Lanka in the Women's Javelin Throw event on Wednesday 7 August, at 1.55 p.m. Having claimed the silver medal in the Javelin Throw event at the Asian Games held last year, she is participating in the Paris Olympics this year with a wealth of experience accumulated over 22 years. Nadeesha shared her thoughts about her preparations for the Olympics and her future plans with The Daily Morning.

Following are the excerpts from the interview:

Nadeesha, let's start with how you got into this game.

To be honest, I was a very playful kid during childhood, a very naughty child who was carefree. So, for those reasons, I fell in love with sports in many ways. I started stepping into the sporting arena when I was 11 years old. After that, doors were opened to the world of javelin throw events at the age of 15.

During that time, I played netball. One day, the teacher-in-charge of sports at the school, who saw me throw the ball from one end of the netball court to the other end, told me to start the javelin event. When I was going to school, I hardly had enough money to buy a school tie. But, with the dedication of my parents and my passion, I started the sport.

Can you recall the first victory you achieved after starting the javelin throw event?

I won the Under-15 Zonal competition in javelin throw. That was my first victory in the javelin event. Also, I managed to set a new competition record in the Under-15 javelin throw Provincial competition. During my school days, there were achievements up to the All-Island level, and numerous records were written in my name.

How did it feel to know that you qualified for the Olympics?

I really felt humbly proud at that moment. I always had in my mind that I would go to the Olympics one day. I never had any specifically set date or year, but the goal was to reach that opportunity one day. I got that opportunity as a result of my 22 years of hard work and dedication.

As far as I know, no one has participated in the Olympics at the age of 37 years representing Sri Lanka. But, the fact that I achieved to represent the Olympics at this age is the biggest achievement of all. Also, the last time a female athlete represented Sri Lanka in the Women's Javelin Throw event was the 2008 Beijing Olympics. That is Nadeeka Lakmali.

What was the reaction at home when you found out that you qualified for the Olympics?

I had just gone home from Colombo at that time. When I told my parents that I qualified for the Olympics, they both had tears in their eyes. Through those tears, I saw the hard work of my parents to bring me to this place. Like me, my mother is also a person who looks at my achievements and enjoys humble happiness, that’s the modesty and simplicity which comes from our roots. I saw that happiness, even though my mother did not respond with loud cheers. 

My parents’ only dream was to see me go to the Olympics. So, when I got that opportunity, I can't even imagine what kind of happiness they must have felt.

You got the opportunity to carry the Sri Lankan flag at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics this year. What do you think about that?

Even if you qualify for the Olympics, representing your country and carrying the flag in the opening ceremony is one of the rarest great opportunities for a sportsperson. So, I got that chance. I am, again, humbly proud of that achievement.

How is your preparation for the Olympics, and what are your hopes?

I am going through a good preparation process now. Training is going on as usual. My hope is to qualify for the top 12 first. If I qualify there, I will have the opportunity to fight for a medal.

You have faced many difficult moments in your journey. Were there tough times when you felt like stopping/quitting the game?

There were some moments and places in life that I felt like that. The Asian Games held in 2023 was scheduled to be held in 2022. I got to know that I didn't qualify, even though I came close to the required skill to qualify that year (2022). At that point, I felt like putting an end to this sporting journey. But, when the Asian Games were postponed to 2023, I felt that it was a good opportunity for me to regroup and work on myself. So, yet again, I continued the sport without stopping, so I think I got greater and bigger opportunities as I did not quit.

Finally, let's remember the people who have supported you so far in this sporting journey, which has taken you to the zenith of the game.

My parents were my biggest strength. And I am currently working in the Sri Lanka Army. The Army always gives me great support to continue the game. Also my current Coach Pradeep Nishantha. He is the one who guides me under his watchful eyes during all my training, and instructs me what to do in the future to be better and stronger. I am thankful to all the coaches, from my first coach, to the current coach, who moulded me in this tiring journey. Also, I am thankful to everyone who has helped me with even a single word of encouragement, and most importantly, I thank those who have been close to me during my losses, and at my victories so far.