The Lankan competitors will be in action from today at the Beijing Para-Olympics now in progress. The games proper got underway yesterday, with the participation of over 10,000 athletes from 150 countries.

Twenty disciplines will be included at these games and there will be 471 ‘gold’ medals on offer besides the ‘silver’ and ‘bronze’. Most of the participants at these games generally are born disabled, but the five strong Sri Lankan contingent are all disabled soldiers. The Lankan athletes arrived in Beijing on August 31st along with five other officials. Besides this there are members of the Disabled Athletes’ Interim Committee too.

The Lankan contingent comprises: Sandun Wasana Perera (Wrestling), Shantha Kumara (100metres and 400metres), Udaya Pushpakumara (Long Jump and Javelin Throw), Lal Pushpakumara (High Jump) and Upali Rajakaruna (Wheel Chair Tennis)