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MANNY PACQUIAO’S inclusion in the Olympic-bound RP
delegation became official Wednesday after his accreditation form
was approved by the Beijing Olympics Organizing Committee (Bagoc).
Philippine Olympic Committee
Secretary-General Steve Hontiveros said Bagoc officials approved the
accreditation of Pacquiao to access the Olympic Village and the
stadium for the opening and closing ceremony.
“We are elated with their
[organizers] positive response. Kailangan na lang ni Manny na
makakuha ng visa then sa China na siya bibigyan ng identification
card,” said Hontiveros.
Pacquiao, who was appointed as
special envoy to the Olympic Games by President Gloria Arroyo after
his impressive ninth round demolition of Mexican David Diaz for
World Boxing Council lightweight crown on June 29, will carry the RP
flag during the opening ceremonies on August 8.
The 29-year-old Pacquiao, owner
of the WBC flyweight, the IBF superbantamweight and the WBC
superfeatherweight titles, replaced swimmer Miguel Molina, the 2007
Southeast Asian Games Best Male athlete who was earlier named
flag-bearer.
Joining Molina in the delegation
are fellow swimmers James Walsh, Daniel Coakley, Ryan Arabejo and
Christel Simms, boxer Harry Tañamor, divers Sheila Mae Perez and
Ryan Rexel Fabriga, tae kwon do jins Mary Antoinette Rivero and
Tshomlee Go, arhcer Mark Javier, shooter Eric Ang, weightlifter
Hidilyn Diaz, and tracksters Henry Dagmil and Marestella Torres.
--Emil C. Noguera
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