Rio 2016 Olympic contingent meets President

The Rio 2016 Olympic contingent met President Maithripala Sirisena today at the President’s Official Residence,President Media unit said. While engaging in a cordial discussion with the sportsmen and women the President expressed his good wishes to them.

The Olympic Games in 2016 will be held in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil from August 5 to 21 with the participation of 10,500 sportsmen and women representing 206 countries in the world. It will consist of 28 games and track and field events where 306 gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded to winners. The re- joining of the Rugby game after the year 1924 and the golf tournament after the year 1904 are the two very significant incident in this Olympic.

Nine sportsmen/women from Sri Lanka have been qualified to compete in eight events at the Summer Olympic Games this year. Sri Lanka will be represented in the events marathon (men/women), javelin throw (men), badminton, judo, weight lifting, swimming and shooting.

Four souvenir stamps and First Day Cover, issued by the Postal Department to mark Olympic Games – 2016 were presented to the President on this occasion. The souvenir stamps are priced Rs. 8.00, 10.00, 35.00 and 50.00.

Minister of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekara, Minister of Postal Services Abdul Haleem and the President of the Olympic Committee Hemasiri Fernando were among those participated in this occasion.