Olympic rower heads athletes’group

Olympian Benjie Tolentino said he is leading an athletes’ group currently being formed to push reforms in sports through "peaceful means," opposing the radical, "politically-motivated, self-serving" approach of the rival group headed by former weightlifter Jaime Sebastian.

Tolentino, who competed in the rowing competitions of the Sydney Olympics last year, said they are organizing an athletes federation which will be composed of veteran Olympians and gold medalists in the Asian and Southeast Asian Games.

"Para sa aming mga atleta ito dahil kapag may problema ang mga atleta, ito ‘yung tutulong sa kanila, ito yung makikipag-usap sa PSC (Philippine Sports Commission) at sa POC (Philippine Olympic Committee)," said Tolentino.

The Sydney Olympic veteran explained that, unlike Sebastian’s group, which trooped to Malacañang to dramatize its protest against the PSC Monday, the new group will first consider a more peaceful means before going to the streets to protest.

"Hindi ito tulad nung grupo nina Sebastian na dinaan sa rally ang problema," said Tolentino. "Dadaanin natin ito sa dialogue kung magkakaproblema man."

He also added that no "outside force" will influence the group set to be formed. "Walang pulitika dito," he said.

Tolentino said they intend to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission to gain legal personality to deal with the PSC and the POC.

Tolentino would not make an estimate of how many athletes have joined the group, which met for the first time Monday, but mentioned veteran internationalists Nelia Sy of taekwondo and trackster Lerma Bulauitan, with Sy being referred to as the athlete who initiated the move.