The National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka is thrilled to officially announce that Reshika Amali Udugampola will be competing at the 2012 London Olympic Games! On Tuesday, June 5th, the Fédération Internationale de Natation (International Swimming Federation) confirmed that Reshika will receive a universality place and thus compete in the 100m freestyle event in London.
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| Reshika Udugampola. |
For individual qualification to the Olympic Games, at least one of the FINA Bureau established Standard Entry Times must be achieved. These include either an Olympic Qualifying A-Time (OQT) or the easier FINA/Olympic Selection B-Time (OST). Universality places are a secondary chance for qualification awarded to Olympic Committees whose athletes have shown a high performance competency and achieved the minimum requirements. Although Reshika did not achieve the Olympic Qualifying A-Time, her performance at the 14th FINA World Championship allowed her an invitation by FINA to compete at the Olympic Games on a universality place.
Reshika began swimming in 2003 simply because she loved sports and physical activity. Since then, she has set several national records, represented Sri Lanka at the South Asian Games, and competed at two FINA World Championships. She refers to the 2010 Swimming Nationals as one of her most memorable moments in sport, when she won the championship title for the first time. That year also marked her first World Championship participation which she too recalls as a fond memory.
Reshika names her beloved parents and sister as her strong support system for success, and the people who have had the greatest influence on her sporting career. She has dreamt of Olympic participation ever since she was a small child, and it was watching the great Olympic athletes participate on television that inspired her to do the same one day. She is thrilled at her selection and says, “it is definitely a dream come true.”
Reshika is also one of few athletes who have had the chance to train overseas. She has been training at the Nunawading Aquatic Club in Melbourne, Australia, and will remain there until July for her Olympic preparations. She looks to Michael Phelps for inspiration who once said, “I wouldn’t say anything is impossible. I think that everything is possible as long as you put your mind, work, and time into it.” Reshika will continue to draw motivation and encouragement from this as she trains hard for the biggest event of her career. While many ponder retirement after Olympic Games participation, this driven young athlete plans to continue to accomplish her personal bests and keep swimming. She says, “I wish to achieve a better standing in swimming and participate in the South Asian Games 2013 to bring glory to Sri Lanka.” Reshika is also looking forward to collaborating with the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka to further develop sports in this country.We are looking forward to seeing Reshika’s debut performance at the Olympic Games! Good luck! |
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