Murali bowls for 2012 Olympics in London!

The British High Commission (BHC) in Colombo marked one year to the start of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games with the BHC Olympics on Saturday, 30 July, 2011 at Westminster House. The event focused on uniting diverse members of the community in sport.  

Sri Lankan cricket legend Muttiah Muralitharan added an element of stardust to the event, attending the closing ceremony and posing for photographs with participants.

Speaking at the end of the day, British High Commissioner, John Rankin, said, “We’ve all enjoyed each other’s company, shared laughs and discovered the joy of teamwork today. Today’s events really show the power of sport in bringing communities together and helping people recognise and respect differences.  This is just a small taste of what the greatest show on earth – the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games – will hold for the athletes and spectators who will flock to its venues next year.

In Britain, as well as respecting differences, we share within our communities common values. The Olympics movement embodies some of the best of these values: excellence, respect and friendship. These are values that we in Britain hold dear and which we share with the people of Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

In 1948, the UK also laid the groundwork for the international paralympic movement, which celebrates the sporting success of elite athletes with disabilities. The first such event, for soldiers with spinal cord injuries following WW II, was held in a British hospital during the last London Olympics. Today, the Paralympics are a central part of the modern games.

It is in the spirit of these Olympic values that we all gathered here today, to promote inclusivity, fair play and friendship. The UK hopes that the Olympics will achieve on a larger scale what we have achieved here. We want the Olympics to make a positive contribution to the UK and the world – socially, culturally, economically and in terms of sporting success.”

Over 200 guests participated, cheered, helped and enjoyed at the event.  Guests came from the Ruth Sponsor Home, the St. Mary’s Home for the Elders, Prithipura, ECSAT (Equality-based Community Support And Training), the British Council, the UK visa centre, the sports science department of the University of Durham (which is hosting the Sri Lankan national Olympic contingent in the run up to the games), the Maldives High Commission in Colombo, the National Olympic Committee and staff members, family and friends of the BHC.  

Divided into six mixed ability teams – Sri Lanka, Maldives, England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – the participants enjoyed a three-legged race, a yoghurt eating race, a lime and spoon race and a diplomatic bag race (all worked off relay style) as well as an enthusiastic tug of war tournament and one mile race.

The awards ceremony saw everyone receiving the Olympic Spirit Award from the High Commissioner, as well as official London 2012 gifts being given to the winning team and winners of the one mile race. Spin bowling legend, Muttiah Muralitharan, presented a special prize for the youngest participant.