GMA leads Olympic gold quest

President Arroyo will spearhead the country’s fund-raising drive for the Olympic-bound national team and will personally cheer members of the RP squad in their quest for the elusive gold medal in the Olympic Games slated in August in Beijing.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. and first vice-president and Beijing Olympics chief de mission Monico Puentevella bared the President’s plans after the POC recently received the formal communication from the Palace.

The decision came a day after the Chief Executive bared her plans of taking an active role by leading the country’s fund-raising campaign for the elite Olympic-bound team, a job she would assume from husband Mike Arroyo.

The First Gentleman, responsible for raising P250 million for the RP team that won the overall championship in the 2005 Manila Southeast Asian Games, has taken a backseat after undergoing a heart surgery last year.

“We receive an official confirmation from Malacañang that the President will definitely attend the Beijing Olympics,” said Cojuangco, who is also the RP equestrian chief.

“It’s confirmed, the President will be in Beijing,” Puentevella, the head of weightlifting association, said.

Cojuangco said the Philippine embassy headed by Ambassador to China Sonia Cataumber Brady will take care of the entourage of President Arroyo and her official security.

“The International Olympic Committee has a special arrangement with the Chinese government regarding the hosting with the dignitaries. I’m not sure though whether she (Arroyo) will stay or go after the opening,” said Cojuangco.

Puentevella liked the idea of the President giving inspiration to the Filipino Olympians.

“This is a good sign, this is a signal that the President is determined to help Philippine sports,” he said.        – Joey Villar