Sumanasekera Swaps Team USA for Sri Lanka in Bid for LA 2028 Olympics

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Gymnast trained with Simone Biles in Houston

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Before the medals were decided, one of the loudest cheers inside the Glasgow International Arena on Saturday was reserved for a gymnast who would compete for less than two minutes. Two years ago, Tiana Sumanasekera was a United States Olympic alternate, training at the famed World Champions Centre in Houston alongside Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles. Now she is representing Sri Lanka – the country of her parents’ birth – with the aim of making the finals at Los Angeles in 2028.

Sri Lankaachieved a milestone at the Tokyo Olympics when Milka Gehani became their first gymnast to compete at the Games. Sumanasekera’s arrival represents another significant step forward with the 18-year-old boasting the talent to challenge for world championship and Olympic finals on balance beam and floor exercise.

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