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A “LEAN AND MEAN” contingent that is capable of ending the
country’s thirst for an Olympic gold medal will be carrying the
Philippine colors in the quadrennial meet set August 18 to 24 in
Beijing.
Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella, who is also the
vice president of the Philippine Olympic Committee, said on Tuesday
that the national delegation, which could not be more than 15, would
be pinning its hopes on combat events.
“Our best chances are in tae kwon do and
boxing,” said Puentevella, who was named chief-of-mission of the
RP delegation.
“This is going to be a lean and mean group,”
said Puentevella, also the head of RP weightlifting association.
But it would be tough to quench the country’s
thirst for Olympic glory.
“With fewer athletes, the going will just get
tougher. This is probably going to be the toughest Olympics as far
as our participation is concerned,” Puentevella admitted.
Only 12 Filipino athletes have so far made the
trip to Beijing, including the still unnamed two in must sport
athletics.
The latest to make it is trap shooter Eric Ang,
who was awarded a wild card berth. The others are boxer Harry Tañamor,
archer mark Javier, swimmers Ryan Arabejo, Miguel Molina, Daniel
Coackley, James Walsh and Christel Simms; divers Sheila Mae Perez
and Rexel Fabriga, and tae kwon do jins Mari Antoinette Rivero and
Tsomlee Go.
Seventeen more from fencing, judo, rowing and
tennis will be trying to catch the last bus in the Olympic
qualifying competitions in their respective events later this month
and until June.
Despite the odds, Puentevella is not giving up.
“Even in the world of sports miracles do happen. Don’t lose
hope, [but] let us not raise false hopes.”
-- Eddie Alinea
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