First batch of athletes, officials off today

Three athletes and eight officials, led by chef de mission Steve Hontiveros, fly to Athens via Bangkok tonight to campaign for the Philippines in the 28th Olympic Games.

These are swimmer Raphael "Timmy" Chua, archer Jasmin Figueroa, shooter Jethro Dionisio and officials Gemiliano Lopez Jr. (boxing), Henry Manalang (archery), Francisco "Chito" Rivera III and Anthony Lozada (swimming), Ramon Jose Corral (shooting), Carlos Santos-Viola (administrative officer) and Gus Villanueva (press attaché).

Making up the first batch of Filipino athletes and officials for the Athens Olympics, the group will leave at 8:25 via Thai Airways. After a two-hour stopover in Bangkok, the Filipinos will fly to Athens, arriving at 7:05 on Saturday morning.

"We have to be there early to prepare for our delegation’s other needs," said Hontiveros.

A total of 16 athletes will carry the Philippine colors. Eight of them–boxers Harry Tañamor, Violito Payla, Romeo Brin and Christopher Camat and swimmers Miguel Mendoza, Miguel Molina, James Walsh and Jaclyn Pangilinan–will fly straight to Athens from their respective training camps.

The boxers are honing their skills in France while the four splashers, including Fil-Americans Walsh and Pangilinan, are completing their workouts in the United States.