FINA okays Chua’s Athens stint

Swimmer Raphael "Timmy" Chua yesterday hurdled the last obstacle in his bid to see action in the 28th Olympiad in Athens next month when the International Amateur Swimming Federation (FINA) confirmed his eligibility to compete in the Games.

The Philippine Olympic Committee through its secretary-general Romeo Ribano received a faxed message from Lausanne, Switzerland-based FINA executive director Cornel Marculescu confirming the eligibility of the 21-year-old University of the Philippines student to join the national team in Athens.

"As per official results received in this office from the LC Swimming Competition held in Kowloon (Hong Kong) in July 2004, we confirm that the swimmer, Mr. Chua, Raphael has achieved the FINA "B" swimming qualifying time of 1:04.93 in the 100m breaststroke event," said Marculescu in the letter.

"Therefore, Mr. Chua is eligible to enter and participate in this event in Athens 2004 Olympic Games subject to approval by the NOC of the Philippines and submission of entry to ATHOC (Athens Organizing Committee) by the deadline of July 21," he added.

RP chief of mission Steve Hontiveros said the entry of Chua, who needed to apologize to the local swimming association to pave the way for his inclusion to the team, is a welcome development.

"It’s a welcome news because we now have more chances of winning," Hontiveros said.

The 21-year old Chua found himself in the center of controversy when he made the grade in Olympic B qualifier in Kowloon but his stint was questioned by the PASA since he didn’t get the swimming body’s permission to compete together with the rest of his group.