Ranatunge Karunananda

Ranatunge Karunananda (21 May 1936[2] – 15 December 1974) was a Sri Lankan athlete. He was a long distance runner and represented the country during the 1960s and 1970s. Karunananda competed in the 10,000 meter race last at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.[3][4]

Ranatunge Karunananda
Personal information
NationalitySri Lankan
Born(1936-05-21)21 May 1936
Died15 December 1974(1974-12-15) (aged 38)[1]
Sport
CountrySri Lanka
SportTrack and field
Event(s)5000 metres, 10,000 metres Long-distance running
Updated on 15 October 2015.

1964 Olympics

Karunananda represented Ceylon (as Sri Lanka was named at the time) in the 1964 Summer Olympics Men’s 5000 meters and Men’s 10,000 meters competitions. In the 10,000 meter race, Karunananda was soon overtaken by the leading athletes and was lapped four times when the winner, Billy Mills of the United States, broke the tape to finish the race. Karunananda continued to run after the others had finished the race. At first, spectators started to jeer at him, but when he eventually finished the race, he was met with cheers and applause.[5][6][7]

Legacy

Japanese reporter Haruo Suzuki was one of the first reporters to have an interview with Karunananda following the race. Instantly, Japanese media started to acclaim Karunananda as a hero. When questioned, Karunananda told reporters: "The Olympic spirit is not to win, but to take part. So I came here. I took part in the 10,000 metres and completed my rounds."[6]

Karunananda's Olympic story has been entered into Japanese school textbooks titled 'Uniform Number 67', 'Bottom Ranked Hero'.[3]

Death

In 1974, Karunananda had been offered a job in Japan in appreciation of his deed. A few days before leaving Sri Lanka, however, Karunananda mysteriously died, drowning in the Namal Oya tank. Some theories say that he just disappeared.[8] Karunananda’s wife suffered a mental breakdown following her husband’s death and the family was forced onto the streets. Later, one of the relatives offered to fund and take care of his family. The Sri Lankan government did not acknowledge his legacy or look after his family.[3]

References
  1. Biography of Ranatunge Karunananda
  2. "Ranatunge Karunananda". SportsReference.com. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  3. "Athletics: The inside story of 'Marathon Karu's' legend". Sunday Times. 2012-09-15. Archived from the original on 17 September 2012. Retrieved 2013-05-27.
  4. "Ranatunge J. KARUNANANDA - Olympic Athletics | Sri Lanka". International Olympic Committee. 2016-06-13. Retrieved 2017-09-09.
  5. "R.J.K. Karunananda: A forgotten hero". The Island. Retrieved 2013-05-27.
  6. "Sri Lanka's unsung Karunananda, a hero in Tokyo!". The Island. Retrieved 2013-05-27.
  7. KARUNANANDA - THE MOST SPIRITED LOSER, retrieved 2023-05-26
  8. "We don't need another hero!". Daily News. 2010-05-05. Archived from the original on 9 June 2010. Retrieved 2013-05-27.
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