Sri Lanka’s fastest man, Yupun Abeykoon, says he is retiring from athletics out of frustration rather than a lack of ability, claiming inadequate financial support and poor sporting infrastructure have forced him to end his career prematurely.

Abeykoon made history by becoming the first Sri Lankan to run the 100 metres in under 10 seconds, clocking a national record of 9.96 seconds in 2022. He also won gold in the men’s 100m at the 2022 Asian Athletics Championships and represented Sri Lanka at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Speaking about his decision, Abeykoon said he still believes he has another two to three years left at the highest level and could have represented Sri Lanka at another Olympic Games.

“I am retiring out of disappointment. I still have two or three more years in me. I could still compete for Sri Lanka and even qualify for another Olympics. But with everything that has happened, I feel this is the right time to stop,” he said.

Abeykoon said years of trying to secure support had taken a toll on his motivation.

“I kept trying for one year, then two, then three, hoping things would improve. You keep asking yourself whether you’ll finally get the support you need. Eventually, you lose the motivation to push yourself harder in training because you don’t see any results from all the effort you put in,” he said.

He added that while he would like to contribute to Sri Lankan athletics in the future, the current state of the sport discourages him.

“I love this sport and I would like to do something for it. But under the current circumstances, I don’t think I can. There is still so much that needs to be improved,” he said.

Abeykoon also pointed to the condition of the Sugathadasa Stadium as an example of the challenges faced by athletes.

“Just look at Sugathadasa Stadium and you’ll understand the situation. Without proper facilities, I don’t think we can achieve great things, even if I return or even if the world’s best coaches come here,” he said.

The sprinter also revealed that he had repeatedly tried to meet the current Sports Minister throughout last year but was unable to do so due to the minister’s busy schedule.

“I tried throughout last year to contact him, but I couldn’t even get him on the phone. The last time I came to Sri Lanka, I also tried to meet him, but I wasn’t given the opportunity,” Abeykoon said. (Newswire)

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Former Olympian and South Asian record holder, Sri Lanka’s Yupun Abeykoon withdrew from the 100m event at the 102nd National Athletics Championship 2024 at Diyagama on Wednesday, hampering his plans for an Olympic berth.

South Asia’s fastest sprinter, Abeykoon, who made his return to the local track after 2019, withdrew midway from heat 3 in the 100m event.

It is suspected that the effect of a recent injury may have resulted in him abandoning the race after just a few steps. 

Following his withdrawal from the race, Yupun congratulated his fellow competitors and was taken aside to inspect his injuries. 

Yupun Abeykoon boasts a personal best of 9.96 seconds in the 100m and he currently holds the 78th position in the Road to Olympic list. (Newswire/ Image – Ceylon Athletics)

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Sri Lankan sprinter Yupun Abeykoon secured first place in the Men’s 100m event at the Anhalt Athletic Championship 2024 in Germany. Abeykoon clinched victory with a time of 10.16 seconds (wind+0.3) in the final on Friday.

Abeykoon advanced to the final by finishing first in Heat 1, recording a season-best time of 10.15 seconds (wind 0.0).

The “Anhalt 2024 – Internationales Leichtathletik Meeting,” part of the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze level series, was held at the Paul-Greifzu-Stadion in Dessau, Germany.

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