Abeysinghe and Gaziev Qualify for 2020 Tokyo Olympics
6/27/2021 2:10:57 PM | Men's Swim & Dive
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Two more from the Ohio State University men’s swimming program have earned their qualifications and invites to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics: graduated freestyler Matthew Abeysinghe will compete for Sri Lanka in the Olympic Games, his second such honor, and rising sophomore sprint freestyler Ruslan Gaziev will compete for the Canadian Olympic Team.
READ MORE: Buckeyes at the 2020 Olympics
This is Abeysinghe’s second Olympic Games. He also swam for Sri Lanka at the 2016 Rio games, becoming the first Sri Lankan swimmer to qualify under an Olympic standard. Abeysinghe was a seven-time relay All-American for the Buckeyes, including first-team as part of the 200 free, 400 free and 800 free relays. He graduated in 2021 with his degree in sport industry.
Abeysinghe was born in Hazelton, Pa., and lived there for six years before moving and living for eight years in Beavercreek, Ohio. He moved to his father’s home country of Sri Lanka about six years ago.
Gaziev swam the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons for Ohio State and took this past season off to focus on the Olympics. The Toronto, Ontario native will be a junior in the fall.
Gaziev was named to the Canadian Olympic Team this week after finishing second in both the semifinals and finals of the 100 freestyle with times of 49.72 and 48.81, respectively. Gaziev will take part in the 4×100 relay in Tokyo.
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