• My mother's smile when she got the call when I qualified for the Olympics was priceless

The 2024 Olympics is just 3 days away. 10,714 athletes representing 206 nations and territories will be competing in 329 events in 32 sports from 26 July to 11 August.

Two female athletes have now qualified to represent Sri Lanka in the athletics events of this year's 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games. 19-year-old Tharushi Dilsara Karunarathna, will participate in the Olympics as the youngest athlete from Sri Lanka. An Asian gold medalist, she is all set to represent the island nation of Sri Lanka in the women's 800m event at the Paris Olympics. Lanka’s golden girl shared her thoughts on her preparation, hopes and future plans for the Paris Olympics and beyond with The Daily Morning.

Following are the excerpts from the interview:

The day I felt I could run for the first time in my life...

I have been very fond of sports since the first day I could remember. The biggest reason for that is that I have an older brother who is very good and talented at sports. Ever since I was a child, I looked up to my brother and tried to do what he did. So I always wanted to emulate him and go beyond to reach the pinnacle. I was ahead of other children even in the most common playful games during my childhood. From that time on, I did not do generalised female sports. I competed with boys and girls irrespective of their gender. Then growing up when I went to school and shifted my attention to athletics, I thought I could go a long way through sports.

What about the experiences you’ve had so far in the sporting journey?

With my age, I think I have gained a lot of experience by now. I have participated in more than 10 international tournaments so far. I learned a lot in those tournaments. There is a world of difference between what you feel when you win and what you feel when you lose. And every race cannot be run in the same way. Every race I took part in, I’ve run in different modes. And the way of showcasing talent has also been different from one another. I think that I was able to gain a lot of great life changing experiences during this time of my life engaging in the sport that I cherish. Also, I think those experiences will be very useful for the upcoming trials and challenges in life ahead.

At the age of 20, what do you feel about your future, after reaching the final life-long goal in life?

I think my journey has just begun. This is not my ultimate goal. I still have a long way to go. My hope is to participate in the Olympics multiple times and bring home glory and medals to Sri Lanka, my paradise isle. The Paris Olympics is the beginning of my journey.

What are you expecting to dish out at the Paris Olympics? How are the preparations going on now?

My hope is to win a medal for Sri Lanka at the Paris Olympics. For that, I am currently training according to a plan with my coach Susantha Fernando. I am in a very good mental condition. The Olympics will start in a few days. The eyes, the hopes, the attention and the prayers of the general public of our country are shifting towards us. I hope that I will be able to give a joyous reply to our beloved fans, the country and everyone who is waiting for me to step on the Paris track this time.

How do you deal with obstacles/challenges that come your way in life?

I had to face an uncountable number of obstacles during this journey. In any case, whether it be sports, business, jobs and life in general, it is very common to encounter obstacles while going in search of goals. The most important thing is to face the obstacles bravely with strength in life. Victory in the face of obstacles is the most fruitful of all victories. My qualification for the Paris Olympics this time around was the most fruitful of all because I came through a journey of prickly thorns. 

What was the most heartwarming response you received after qualifying for the Olympics?

From the moment I qualified for the Olympics to date, I have received very good responses. My mother was with me when I got the phone call that I had qualified for the Olympics. At that time, the smile on my mother's face was the first and best reaction that I got. In that smile I saw a  story full of happiness and pride that will keep lingering in my mind forever. It reflected the story of immense caring and sheer sacrifice that our mothers make in order for us – their children, to reach the global pinnacle.

Who was the biggest strength in this journey?

Well I cannot mention names, the list will go on and on. A plethora of people including my family and coaches gave me strength for this journey. To simply put, even the fans gave me strength for this journey. I was very motivated because of them. Most of them I have never met, that’s the beauty of sports, it connects everyone together. 

Like music, sports is a global language. So my journey to the Olympics was beautifully decorated because of all of them.

What is your message to all the budding athletes and sports people of the future?

It is not easy to play a sport. You have to make a lot of sacrifices. It's not an hour, two days or a week. Sometimes we have to make sacrifices for years. No matter how many obstacles come in life, don't forget your ultimate goal. There will be many times when you feel like giving up. But don't ever think about any of that, try, try and try, make sacrifices towards achieving your goal. Even if you can't win or achieve all at once, you will be able to reach those dreams and goals one day. And again never ever give up.