In a historic achievement for Sri Lanka, Aruna Darshana has become the first Sri Lankan athlete to advance to the semi-finals of the 400m event in Olympic history. Competing in the men’s 400m race at the Paris Olympics, Aruna participated in the fifth heat of the preliminary round, which featured six matches in total.
Aruna clocked a personal best time of 44.99 seconds, securing third place in his heat and earning a spot in the semi-finals. This remarkable performance marks another significant milestone, as Aruna is the first Sri Lankan since Sugath Thilakarathne to complete a 400m race in under 45 seconds.
Aruna’s achievement not only highlights his dedication and talent but also sets a new standard for Sri Lankan athletes on the international stage.