In the pantheon of Olympic legends, not all heroes are defined by gold medals or world records. Some are immortalized by a single act of unwavering persistence—a moment that perfectly encapsulates the spiritual essence of the games. Such is the story of Ranatunge Koralage Jayasekara Karunananda, a long-distance runner from Sri Lanka (then Ceylon), whose performance in the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics became a timeless lesson in human dignity and perseverance.
📜 From Ceylon’s Army to the Global Stage
Born in 1936, Karunananda was a Corporal in the Ceylonese Army, a background that instilled the discipline and tenacity he brought to his athletic career. At a time when Sri Lankan sports infrastructure was rudimentary compared to global powers, he stood out as the nation’s top long-distance hope.
His journey to the 1964 Tokyo Olympics was already a triumph of dedication. He qualified to compete in both the 5,000 meters and the 10,000 meters, ready to represent his island nation against the world’s elite runners. This was a challenging environment; the field included highly trained athletes like the eventual gold medalist, Billy Mills (USA), and Mohamed Gammoudi (Tunisia), who were setting new standards for the event. Karunananda was not just competing against runners; he was competing against the vast disparity in resources and training.
🏟️ The Race of a Lifetime: Tokyo, October 14, 1964
The setting was the 10,000-meter final. The race requires 25 grueling laps of the track. Even before the starting gun, reports indicate that Karunananda was struggling with a severe cold, making the already impossible challenge exponentially harder.
Predictably, he fell significantly behind the leading pack. As the leaders pushed the pace, Karunananda began to be lapped. By the time the frontrunners crossed the finish line in a dramatic, photo-finish victory for Billy Mills, Karunananda—wearing his distinctive uniform Number 67—was a staggering four laps behind.
The Moment of Truth
When the final runner crossed the finish line and the victory celebrations began, the stadium lights were dimmed, and the crowd, over 70,000 strong, began to disperse. Then, the spectators realized that one man was still running.
Karunananda was alone on the vast track. He could have easily retired. Nine other athletes failed to finish the race that day, an acceptable outcome given the difficulty of the event. Yet, Karunananda ran on.
Initially, there were murmurs of confusion and scattered jeers. But as he completed his 22nd, 23rd, 24th, and finally his 25th lap—four full laps after the gold medalist had claimed victory—the mood transformed. The crowd understood that they were witnessing something profound. The jeers vanished, replaced by a thunderous, unified standing ovation that Japanese commentators described as louder and more passionate than the cheer for the winner. They were applauding not a record, but resolve.
💬 “The Spirit is Not to Win…”
The subsequent interview cemented Karunananda’s legendary status. When asked by reporters why he kept running after the race was obviously lost, his humble response echoed the foundational creed of the modern Olympics, often attributed to Pierre de Coubertin:
“The Olympic spirit is not to win, but to take part. So I came here. I took part in the 10,000 meters and completed my rounds.”
This simple statement elevated his run from a personal failure to a universal victory.
🇯🇵 An Iconic Figure in Japanese Culture
Karunananda’s act of courage resonated most deeply in Japan, a culture that profoundly values perseverance, duty, and resilience (concepts embodied by gaman and ganbaru). He was hailed as the “Hero of the Last Place” or the “Bottom Ranked Hero.”
Most remarkably, his story, often titled “Uniform Number 67,” was immortalized in Japanese elementary school textbooks. His unwavering finish was used to teach millions of Japanese children valuable life lessons about integrity, never giving up, and the true meaning of participation. The profound impact is evident in the thousands of letters and gifts he received from grateful Japanese citizens.
💔 An Unfortunate End and Lack of Local Acclaim
Despite achieving global acclaim, Karunananda’s life ended tragically. In December 1974, he drowned under mysterious circumstances in the Namal Oya reservoir in Sri Lanka. This happened just weeks before he was scheduled to travel back to Japan to receive a special honor recognizing his contribution to the Olympic spirit.
The lack of sustained national recognition and support for his family in the years following his death stands in stark contrast to his global celebrity. His story serves as a poignant reminder that not all heroes are properly recognized in their own time or land.
🥇 The Lasting Legacy
Ranatunge Karunananda’s legacy is not measured by his time of 32:21.2 (nearly three minutes behind the winner), but by the lesson he imparted. He showed the world that honor lies in the attempt, and that finishing what you start is often the truest form of victory. The runner wearing Number 67 in Tokyo remains an indelible icon, forever reminding us that the spirit of the Olympics belongs not just to the fastest, but to those who fight the good fight until the very last step.
📚 Resources and References Used
The information for this comprehensive article was compiled from various historical records, journalistic archives, and cultural studies relating to the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and Sri Lankan sports history.
| Type of Resource | Details and Key Information |
| Olympic Records | Official results and reports from the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics (Men’s 10,000m Final). Confirms his final time and finishing position. |
| Journalism/News Archives | Contemporary reports from Japanese and international newspapers (e.g., The New York Times, Ceylon Daily News). These confirm the crowd reaction, the post-race interview, and the subsequent Japanese cultural coverage. |
| Cultural Studies/Textbooks | Accounts confirming the inclusion of the “Uniform Number 67” story in Japanese elementary school curriculum (a key detail confirming his long-term cultural impact). |
| Biographical Accounts | Articles and profiles published on the athlete’s life, military service (Corporal in the Ceylonese Army), and details surrounding his tragic death in 1974. |
| Olympic History Texts | Books and academic journals dedicated to the history of the Olympic movement and the concept of the Olympic Spirit (“Citius, Altius, Fortius – Communiter” and the focus on participation). |
| Karunananda of Sri Lanka: The Courageous Loser Who Won Hearts at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics | https://japan-forward.com/karunananda-of-sri-lanka-the-courageous-loser-who-won-hearts-at-the-1964-tokyo-olympics/ |
| A Runner’s Promise: The Inspiring Story of Ranatunge Karunananda (Full Audiobook) | https://youtu.be/zGByexnqv3A?si=X2x9at5AodhXkG8R |
| One of the most courageous inspirational athlete – R Karunanda 1964 olympics | https://youtu.be/xzh8RReiLzM?si=77fuctuMm32ZnYdV |
| The Runner Who Never Gave Up – The Story of Ranatunge Karunananda (1964 Tokyo Olympics) | Hela Nomad | https://youtu.be/hRYfylLukm4?si=Yf2mwA78p8csu_Dv |
| Ranatunge Karunananda on wikipedia | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranatunge_Karunananda#:~:text=Ranatunge%20Koralage%20Jayasekara%20Karunananda%20(21,1964%20Summer%20Olympics%20in%20Tokyo. |
| Crossing the Finish Line Hardcover – Picture Book, June 3, 2025 by Thushanthi Ponweera (Author), Maithili Joshi (Illustrator) | https://www.amazon.com/Crossing-Finish-Line-Thushanthi-Ponweera/dp/1454950188 |