Sri Lanka Olympian Nimali Liyanarachchi has refuted allegations that she had forgotten her running shoes for the recently concluded Tokyo Olympic Games.
Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa had informed Parliament that an athlete had forgotten her shoes for her event, questioning the commitment of the athletes.
“I brought spikes in my hand luggage. I didn’t put them even in the main luggage. Because I know how important are my spikes. It’s untrue that I forgot my spikes” the athlete said, responding to the Sports Minister’s statement.
Liyanarachchi further explained that despite having an old pair of shoes she had wanted to purchase a new pair of shoes, but was unable to do so as she was placed in a bio-bubble and could not venture outside.
As a result, she said a Sri Lankan Olympic Committee official was informed of her intention to purchase a new pair of shoes, only as she could not step outdoors to do her own purchasing.
Liyanarachchi claimed that the Sports Minister has been misled with regard to the incident as the true facts had not been conveyed to him.
Revealing the athlete’s clarification, former Parliamentarian Bimal Rathnayake called on the Sports Minister to withdraw his remarks, stating that it gives athletes relief. (NewsWire)