ATHENS
(Via Globe Telecom) — Former Manila Mayor Mel Lopez, Dr. Jose Raul Canlas and boxer Christopher Camat got a pleasant surprise one afternoon at the Main Dining Hall when two athletes approached them and asked for Philippine pins. "We couldn’t believe it," says Doc Canlas. "But they’re right there in front of us, asking for pins." Camat was more surprised when she saw the accreditation card of one of them, right after he asked her "what sport do you play?" She’s Venus Williams, the American tennis superstar. And right beside her is fellow American Andy Roddick, the US Open champion.
You may not know it, but Roddick once played in an international junior tournament in Manila.
Joseph Sy, 35-year-old coach of Lerma Bulauitan Gabito and Eduardo Buenavista in the Olympic Games here, is attending the International Track and Field Coaches educational program for three days. "I was invited.
Sayang naman kung hindi ako maka-attend.
Siguro naman, mayroon akong bagong matutuhan," says Sy.
French tennis start Mary Pierce prefers to eat at the casual dining room in front of the Philippine headquarters inside the Olympic Village than at the main dining hall. "It’s better here," she says. "There are less people, it’s near our residence and you don’t have to take the shuttle bus," says Pierce.
Now that his shooter, Jethro Dionisio, has finished his first Olympic stint, shooting president Art Macapagal plans to spend a few more days here to watch one of the well-publicized swimming confrontation between superstars Michael Phelps of the United States and Ian Thorpe of Australia. And now that he has free time, he makes it a point to join POC president Celso Dayrit, chef de mission Steve Hontiveros and other officials in cheering our athletes, particularly the boxers, swimmers and archer Jasmin Figueroa.
According to former top athletes Bill Toomey and Barry King, the name "Olympic Games" did not appear on the official program and competitors were not sure if they were competing in the Olympics during the 1924 Paris games. "it was some time later when a commemorative medal was sent to all competitors by Baron Pierre de Coubertin that the matter was clarified.