Pinay bets unfazed by Rio Games woes

MANILA, Philippines – Two of the Filipina athletes bound for the Rio Olympics are unmoved by the health and security threats facing the Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro from Aug. 5-21.

Kirstie Elaine Alora of taekwondo and Ian Lariba of table tennis yesterday said they are focused on their mission to try to give the Philippines its first gold medal in the Summer Olympics.

The two Pinay bets shrugged off threats of the Zika virus, a mosquito-borne infection that has found its epicenter in Brazil, or the peace and order problems.

Last Saturday, three members of the Spanish sailing team were robbed at gunpoint in a popular tourist area in Rio de Janeiro, where they’ve chosen to train months before the Games.

There’s also the threat of terrorism, and the effects of political unrest in Brazil, where its president, Dilma Rousseff, was recently suspended and now facing impeachment.

Alora and Lariba remain cool, calm and collected, saying not even the prospects of a huge financial bonanza for Pinoy medalists could derail their focus.

“We only focus on giving our best and going for the gold. That’s the aim,” said the 26-year-old Alora.

“It still boils down to the fact that we compete not for the incentive alone but to show the other countries how good we are,” Lariba added.

The chef-de-mission of the Philippine team to Rio, Jose Romasanta, accompanied the athletes to the PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate yesterday morning, and talked about the various threats.

“Peace and order is also a concern,” he said before citing threats of terrorism, which is always be present in major international gatherings like the Olympics.

“The threat of terrorism will always be there,” he said, adding that Brazil has asked all participating countries to provide themselves with at least two security officers during their stay.