Olympic fever

Thanks to the spectacle that China offered during the opening of the 29th Olympiad in Beijing, I did not feel as sick as the doctor said I was last Friday.

I was so sick that I had to forego writing my column for last Saturday's issue, which is probably one of the few times that I have done so the past 18 years that I have been writing Full Point.

Anyway, last Monday, I returned to work still groggy not just from the medications I have to take, but also from an overload of sports as watching the Olympics on TV was a great way to pass the time while in bed recuperating from what the doctor said was upper respiratory tract infection.

Now, I've got 80 percent of my voice back, but to tell you honestly, last Sunday even if I sounded so hoarse, I pumped my fist and let out a scratchy "yes" when Argentina scored a goal against Australia in their football match in the Olympics.

As of this writing, two of our Olympic bets should be packing their bags as shooter Eric Ang and weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz failed to make the grade in their competitions.

Among our bets in Beijing, the only one I can remember meeting personally is Eric Ang, who was here for the World Shoot XII back in November 1999 at the Cebu Pistol and Rifle Association Range in Lapu-Lapu City.

As for Diaz, her coach Ramon Solis, who was one of the sporting idols when I was in high school and college, is a very good friend.  I have very high hopes for this young girl to make it bigger in the weightlifting world if she maintains her focus in the coming years.

She did very well in the Olympics although it was not good enough for a medal, but there is a lot of potential.

I'd really love to see her compete in the 2012 London Games.

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One thing that makes me feel sick is when politicians capitalize on sports to boost their stock during events like the Olympics.

While I do know that there are politicians with honest to goodness love and passion for sports, there are more of those who are otherwise.

It would not be a surprise if after the Olympics we can hear them croak like frogs during rain either calling for congressional or senate inquiries if our athletes fail or claiming part of the glory that would be reaped.

If you are asking why up to now we haven't won an Olympic gold medal, go over the paragraph above and you got your answer.

There is however one politician, who is actively involved in the Olympics, that I am sure is there because of his love for sports and that is Bacolod Rep. Monico 'Nyok' Puentevella.

If we have more politicians who think and work like Congressman Nyok to develop sports in this country, then our dreams of winning gold in the Olympics would be achieved sooner.

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MILESTONES: Belated happy birthday to my Delta companymate Cavalier Oscar David Canlas, Jr., who turned a year older last Friday, and to my classmate Dr. Consuelo Camaya-Villafania, who turned a year older last Sunday.

My favorite radio commentator, Super Bobby Nalzaro, also turned a year older last Monday and I wish him all the best.

The same goes to Mia Bañez-Clerigo and Tonet Basnillo, who also recently celebrated their birthdays.

Congratulations to my best friend Christopher Rey Tio and his wife Julie on the opening of Iora, their new store at the SM City Cebu Northwing.

More power to all of you!