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With or without the intended budget of P250 million, the country’s bid to send as many athletes to the 2008 Beijing Olympics should go on as originally planned.
“Less funds, less qualifiers, less chances of winning. Remember, the Olympics is not just about winning. I do, however, believe that 2008 is the year that RP will get the gold,” said Philippine Olympic Committee deputy secretary-general Mark Joseph.
Joseph said RP has Olympic scholars selected by the international federations. They are Marvin Cordero of archery, Tac Padilla and Jethro Dionisio of shooting, Tshomlee Go and Marie Antoinette Rivero of taekwondo, Walbert Mendoza of fencing, Benjamin Tolentino of rowing, Maristella Torres of athletics, Ryan Arabejo of swimming and Toni Leviste of equestrian.
“These people receive allowances from the Olympic Solidarity (program). Of the 37 recommended by the POC in 2005, only those 10 were selected. The PSC supports them, too. So, let’s not forget that we will seek slots in the Olympics with or without financial support. But the more funds, the faster it goes as they say,” he said.
Seventeen athletes carried the RP flag in the 2004 Athens Olympics. Unfortunately, not one of them brought home a medal. The last RP medal in the Olympics was the silver of boxer Mansueto Velasco in 1996.
This time, at least 60 athletes from 15 sports are knocking on the Olympic doors, each one of them hoping to make it to
“If we have 30 qualifiers in
A few days ago, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez said the list of athletes might be pruned down based on the original plan that would cover only the best athletes from a few sports.
First Gentleman Mike Arroyo will help raise the funds for the Olympics, but was reportedly surprised to see the long list of athletes. He named only boxing, taekwondo, shooting and fencing as part of the original plan.
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