Reduced Olympic size opposed

The move to cut down on the number of sports that will receive special treatment in the run-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics drew mixed reactions from sports officials yesterday.

“There are certain athletes that should also be given a chance,” said Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco, who is also the head of the RP equestrian association.

“So rather than focus on particular sports only, we should look at potential medal-winning athletes in other sports,” added Cojuangco after reports came out that number of priority sports will be cut down.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman said the other day that from 15 sports and close to 60 athletes, the special focus should be limited to boxing, taekwondo, shooting and fencing.

“It’s going to be only the best athletes from the sports with the best chances of winning,” said Ramirez after he received a feedback that First Gentleman Mike Arroyo was surprised by the long list of hopefuls.

“This is too many,” the First Gentleman was quoted as saying. He added that sports officials should stick to the original plan that the First Gentleman Foundation will only help in the training of the best athletes.

Mark Joseph of swimming, the POC deputy secretary-general, said it’s not easy to qualify for the Olympics, and athletes who make it, regardless of sport, deserve special treatment.

“Maybe we shouldn’t discuss sports, but rather athletes. An Olympic qualifier is qualified for support regardless of sport,” said Joseph, adding that two swimmers, Miguel Molina and Ryan Arabejo, are already assured of slots to the Beijing Games.

Rep. Monico Puentevella of weightlifting, the POC vice president, said: “If that’s what FG (Arroyo) wants then we’ll discuss it in the next POC General Assembly.”

Ramirez said with 60 athletes from 15 sports, the country would need as much as P250 million to fund their world-class training and actual participation to the next Olympics.

Ramirez, however, said the PSC will not totally turn its back on the other athletes. But the focus of the First Gentleman Foundation will fall on the shorter list of potential medalists.

The others in the original list of focus sports are diving, weightlifting, swimming, gymnastics, wushu, athletics, lawn tennis, beach volley, rowing, archery and equestrian.