Colombo, Sri Lanka – With the aim of encouraging lifelong participation in endurance sports and elevating Sri Lanka’s sports system to international standards, a strategic partnership between the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo international sporting event was officially announced at a media briefing held at the Ministry of Sports yesterday.
The press conference was attended by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage, Director General of Sports, Dr. S. Mr. Achchuthan, Chairman of the National Sports Council Mr. Priyantha Ekanayake, Director of Serendib Multisport (Pvt) Ltd and Competition Director of IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo Mr. Rajan Thananayagam and its Cycling and Track Director Mr. Yasas Hewage were present.
International experience returning after six years
IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo, which was successfully held in 2018 and 2019, will return to Sri Lanka in 2026 after a six-year hiatus. This time, nearly 1,000 participants and supporters from over 45 countries are expected to attend, including a number of Sri Lankan athletes.
Active Lifestyle and Health
The primary objective is to promote endurance sports such as swimming, cycling and running as a solution to the non-communicable diseases facing Sri Lanka such as diabetes and heart disease. Through this collaboration, it is hoped to exchange knowledge on sports medicine and international safety standards, and create volunteer opportunities for university students and the youth corps.
Hon. Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage, speaking at the event, said, “IRONMAN confirms that sports are something that can be engaged in throughout life, regardless of age, and this is an expression of international confidence in Sri Lanka.”
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