Cycling row as a political tool

In this week’s column I conclude the talk I had with Joey Romasanta, spokesman of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), regarding the cycling controversy in the 25th Laos Southeast Asian Games (SEAG). The entire Philippine cycling team, except for female rider Maritess Bitbit, was not accredited by the sport’s international federation, UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale), despite the letter-appeal of the SEAG Federation on behalf of the Philippines and was therefore not allowed to compete. The Philippine contingent probably lost four gold medals (and fourth place in the overall standings) because of the lack of accreditation since the Filipinos were favored in four cycling events.

Last week’s column ended with Romasanta saying that the 12 cyclists, the 11 who have all but been forgotten in this whole episode plus Bitbit, issued a letter of condemnation against Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham Tolentino, president of the cycling National Sports Association recognized by UCI (but not the POC) who refused to accredit the 11 other cyclists.

In previous statements she made, Bitbit had claimed that she had been pressured by the POC into withdrawing from the competitions as an expression of solidarity with the rest of the team. The whole incident will be investigated by the Senate.

The following is the last part of The STAR interview with Romasanta.

Philip Ella Juico (PEJ): Where was Ms. Maritess Bitbit all this time (when the entire Philippine cycling team was taking steps to pull out of the competitions for lack of accreditation)?

Joey Romasanta (JR): Ms. Bitbit, the only member of the team who had a UCI card, consulted delegation officials, including POC president Jose Cojuangco Jr. Following a brief meeting with Cojuangco, Bitbit decided to sign the letter announcing the team’s withdrawal. Mr. Cojuangco later reported to the POC board members present that he told Ms. Bitbit that the cyclists came to Laos as a team and must exhibit the same wisdom no matter the final outcome.

PEJ: How come Bitbit had the accreditation while the 11 others did not have any?

JR: Interestingly, Ms. Bitbit was not part of the original line up funded by (Mikee) Romero (president of the POC-recognized Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines) to join the Laos trip. Ms. Bitbit was part of the Tolentino group in the beginning, which explains why she possesses the UCI accreditation. It was only upon learning that a cycling team will be sent to Laos that she pleaded with Mr. Romero to be included in the line-up. Mr. Romero agreed and paid for Bitbit’s travel and accommodation expenses. This was the same account given by Col. Taberdo during an interview with “Sports Radio”.

PEJ: Stories have come out that Bitbit was pressured into joining the 11 other cyclists who opted not to compete?

JR: Mr. Cojuangco takes issue with those stories for obvious reasons. First, the decision to withdraw was Ms. Bitbit’s decision as indicated by the letter of withdrawal she signed in Laos. Second, there are 11 others who signed the document who were equally prepared and sacrificed as much and favored to win the gold medal in their events but made no further lamentations in a show of adherence to their unified stance. In fact, one of those who signed is a Fil-Am cyclist whose parents even flew to Laos on day one of the competitions only to find out that their son will no longer (compete).

PEJ: What role could the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) have played?

JR: The Philippine cycling team went to Laos at no cost to the government or the PSC. (PSC Chairman) Angping had all the time and stature to support the SEAG Federation appeal to Mr. Tolentino for the issuance of a one-time permit. Victories in the cycling events could have generated more gold medals and improved the country’s standing in the medal race as we finished fifth overall, only two gold medals behind third placer Indonesia and fourth ranked Malaysia. Our cycling team had targeted four gold medals.

PEJ: What lessons are to be learned from this incident?

JR: We could have asked more penetrating questions of the people involved. It could have been for example asked why Mr. Tolentino, a public official and sports figure, found it patriotic and to the best interest of the Filipino athletes to reject the appeal of the SEAG Federation. Instead of asking that question, some parties chose to embark on an expedition, shaking the relationship between Mr. Cojuangco and leading presidential bet Sen. Noynoy Aquino. 

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The Senate will conduct its investigation shortly. Let’s hope that sobriety and maturity prevail, lest some people again try to muddle the situation by shamelessly and unfairly connecting the private domestic affairs of relatives of Sen. Aquino with his presidential candidacy and linking both with the cycling controversy.