Colombo, 6 June 2026 - The National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOC Sri Lanka) extends its warmest congratulations to Sri Lankan javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga on his historic performance at the Golden Gala Pietro Mennea, part of the Wanda Diamond League series, held in Rome, Italy.

 

The 23-year-old produced a remarkable throw of 92.62 metres, setting a new Sri Lankan National Record and becoming the first athlete in the world to surpass the 90-metre mark during the 2026 season. His performance currently stands as the world-leading mark for the year and ranks as the eighth-best men's javelin throw of all time. The achievement also established a new meet record at the Golden Gala Pietro Mennea, surpassing a mark that had stood for two decades. Competing against a world-class field featuring reigning and former world champions, Olympic medallists, and some of the sport's most accomplished athletes, Rumesh displayed exceptional composure and confidence.

 

Rumesh is among the eight Sri Lankan athletes selected to receive the prestigious IOC Olympic Solidarity Scholarship for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Following a rigorous national selection process conducted by NOC Sri Lanka and a subsequent evaluation by Olympic Solidarity and the relevant International Federation, he was awarded the scholarship in September 2025 in recognition of his strong potential to qualify for and compete at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

 

Under the programme, the NOC Sri Lanka together with Olympic Solidaity is supporting Rumesh to reach his true potential by enabling him to access all facilities and assistance required, from September 2025 until the conclusion of the qualification period for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The scholarship is designed to support elite athletes in meeting the demands of high-performance training and international competition, enabling them to focus on their preparation for Olympic qualification. With such assistance, Rumesh has shown momentous improvement.

 

Rumesh's continued progression and exceptional performances on the international stage demonstrate the value of sustained athlete support and reflect the dedication of the athlete, his coaching team, and all stakeholders who contribute to the development of elite sport in Sri Lanka.

 

On behalf of the entire Olympic movement in Sri Lanka, NOC Sri Lanka congratulates Rumesh Tharanga on this extraordinary milestone. His achievement has brought immense pride to the nation and serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes across the country as he continues his journey towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

 

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