Sprinters get late wildcard entries for Rio

Bangladesh’s fastest sprinters Shirin Akter and Mezbah Ahmed received wildcards for the Rio Olympic Games late on Monday, four days after the closing date for handing out wildcards. 

The Bangladesh Olympic Association announced the late entries after receiving confirmation from the International Olympic Association.  Mezbah and Shirin’s addition means there will be seven Bangladesh athletes participating in the global showpiece event beginning in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on August 5.

Four – swimmers Mahfizur Rahman and Sonia Akter, shooter Abdullah Hel Baki and archer Shyamoly Roy -- received their wildcards before the cutoff while golfer Siddikur Rahman became the first Bangladesh athlete to attain direct qualification to the 120-year-old Games. 

Theirs will be a welcome addition to the Bangladesh Olympics team. Both former BKSP students, Shirin (12.69s) and Mezbah (10.52s) clocked the nation’s fastest times in their respective 100m races in the National Athletics Championships on March 8, 2015. 

A 23-member contingent, led by chef-de-mission Bangladesh Fencing Association president Lt General (Rtd) Abu Tayeb Mohammad Johirul Alam will depart for Rio from July 28 in instalments.