Nagalingam Ethirveerasingam
Dr Nagalingam Ethirveerasingam[1] represented Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) at the 1952 (Helsinki) and 1956 (Melbourne) Summer Olympic Games.[2] Ethirveerasingam also participated in three Asian Games: 1954 (Manila), 1958 (Tokyo), and 1962 (Djakarta).[2]
Nagalingam Ethirveerasingam | |
|---|---|
| Born | Nagalingam Ethirveerasingam Sri Lanka (Periyavilan, Ilavalai) |
| Occupation | Athlete, Lecturer |
He won the Gold Medal at the 1958 Tokyo Asian Games, which was the first Gold Medal of any kind for Sri Lanka (Ceylon).[2]
At the 1962 Djakarta Asian Games he took home the Silver Medal. He was co-record holder at the 1954 Manila Asian Games after jumping the same height (1.95 meters) as the gold, silver, and bronze jumpers, but came fourth due to having more misses than the other athletes. Ethirveerasingam finished eleventh in the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games high jump.
Early life and career
He was a student at Jaffna Central College, where apart from his accomplishments in athletics was a cricketer, which is not well publicised because of his athletic achievements.
He taught at universities in Sierra Leone, Papua New Guinea, Nigeria and Sri Lanka. He also worked for UNESCO for five years.
In later years whilst lecturing in Sierra Leone he captained the University cricket team in the local cricket tournament and in 1973 was appointed vice captain of the national team that played against the neighbouring country of Gambia.
See also
References
- "On War and the Approach to Peace - An Open Letter to the Sri Lanka President". Tamilnation. 2001-01-12. Retrieved 2009-01-07.
- "Ethir: Olympian and Bridge-Builder". SangamOrg. 2008-07-23. Retrieved 2009-01-07.
External links
- Reemus Fernando (9 July 2012). "Ethirveerasingam recalls his Olympics days Inspired by Olympics colour film in 1940s". The Island. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- Reemus Fernando (11 July 2012). "The 25 - day voyage to Helsinki was a huge experience for Ethir". The Island. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- Reemus Fernando (12 July 2012). "Missed opportunity in 1960 and his moments in cricket". The Island. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- Elmo Rodrigopulle (1 June 2018). "Ethirveerasingam - High Jumper with First Gold for Sri Lanka". Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
- "Sri Lankan Olympian Nagalingam Ethirveerasingam on his hopes for reconciliation – video". The Guardian. 20 September 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2018.