Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage has drawn criticism from sports journalists after taking aim at media outlets for reporting that Sri Lankan javelin star Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage had dropped to No. 2 in the World Athletics rankings.
Following Rumesh’s Diamond League victory in Lausanne, the Minister said in a social media post: “Some media may be happy putting Rumesh at No. 2, but for us, Rumesh is still the world No. 1.”
However, sports journalists pointed out that the media had merely reported the official World Athletics rankings, which currently place Germany’s Julian Weber at No. 1 and Rumesh at No. 2.
Sports journalist Suminda Tharaka was among those who questioned the Minister’s remarks, stressing that world rankings are determined according to an established system and cannot be changed according to personal preference.
“World rankings are a different matter. They have a system. We cannot change them the way we want,” Tharaka said.
He pointed out that Rumesh had been the world No. 1 in recent weeks before Weber regained the top position following his 90.40m performance at the European Championships.
Tharaka said Sri Lankans would naturally consider their athletes No. 1 in their hearts, but that this should not be confused with the official international rankings.
He also noted that Rumesh could potentially regain the No. 1 position when the rankings are next updated following his latest Diamond League performance.
Rumesh won the Lausanne Diamond League with a throw of 88.14m. (Newswire)