Cray, 4 others get Rio backing

MANILA, Philippines - Olympic-bound Eric Cray and four other Rio aspirants made up the initial list of elite athletes who stand to receive full support and financial backing as they compete in tournaments leading up to the 2016 Games.

Philippine Olympic Committee executive Romy Magat, who heads one of the clusters reviewing the Rio bids of the different sports, told The STAR he has given the greenlight to the training programs of 400-meter hurdles specialist Cray, pole vaulter Ernest Obiena, runner Melvin Guarte and weightlifters Hidilyn Diaz and Nestor Colonia.

Because he already hit the Olympic-qualifying standard (OQS), Cray will be given a supplemental budget of $102,740 over the next two years in buildup, said Magat. This includes participation in 19 competitions for the world No. 7 Cray, who eyes to make the 48-second mark by the time he plunges into action in Rio.

Cray’s mother association, the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association, is also arranging for private sponsors to add to the warchest to sustain the training of the 26-year-old.

Obiena, meanwhile,  earned the POC nod with his 5.30-meter performance in pole vault, .40-m shy of the OQS in the event.