MANILA, Philippines - Malakas na ang kapit ni equestrian champion Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski kapag naghanap ng kapalit ni Frank Elizalde na magreretiro bilang kinatawan ng International Olympic Committee sa Pilipinas.
Nasa edad 80-anyos na si Elizalde at ang kanyang termino bilang IOC representative sa bansa ay matatapos sa Disyembre 31, 2012.
Nagsimula ito noong 1985 o limang taon matapos ang pagkamatay ng kanyang pinalitang si Jorge B. Vargas.
Si Elizalde ang chairman ng makapangyarihang nomination commission ng IOC.
Ito ang nagbabawal sa kanya para magrekomenda ng kanyang kapalit.
“Ironically I’m the chairman of the nomination commission of the IOC. I’m not allowed to nominate anybody. It’s not for me the make a recommendation,” sabi ni Eizalde.
Ngunit pinuri naman niya si Cojuangco-Jaworski, ang gold medal sa individual show jump competition ng 2002 Busan Asian Games.
“She has the qualifications. She’s already involved in sports not just as a former Asian Games gold medalist. I think she is with the athletes committee of the OCA (Olympic Council of Asia,” ani Elizalde.
“I think she is highly qualified and being a female helps. The IOC wants 20 percent female (members) and right now I think we’re at 18 percent,” dagdag pa nito.