IOC shuts door on RP wildcards

The Philippines’ bid to send more athletes in this year’s Olympic Games suffered a blow after the International Olympic Committee decided to limit the wildcard berths to countries with smaller contingents.

The IOC said that a country could only avail itself of wildcard berths if it has six or less qualified athletes to the quadrennial meet.

The Philippines, seeking wildcards in shooting, rowing, judo and archery, has already qualified 13 athletes in various fronts for the Olympics.

“All in all, there are at least a thousand requests that the IOC received and priority will be given to nations with smaller delegations,” said Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco.

Light fly Harry Tañamor, the lone boxing qualifier, and taekwondo jins Toni Rivero and Tshomlee Go head the country’s quest for a first ever Olympic gold medal.

Joining the troika are tankers Miguel Molina, Ryan Arabejo, JB Walsh, Daniel Coakley and Christel Simms, archer Mark Javier, divers Sheila Mae Perez and Rexel Ryan Fabriga plus two more through the  compulsory slots in athletics.

The POC explored the possibility of sending more Filipinos to Beijing as wildcards after the IOC opened 90 seats it called the “tripartite invitation places” with 1,000 applicants from 158 National Olympic Committees – mostly  from Third World– signifying their intention of competing in 28 events.

Without the wildcards, Philippine Sports Commission chair William “Butch” Ramirez said the country will now pin its hopes on archery, fencing, weightlifting, lawn tennis, beach volleyball, shooting, judo and rowing which will stage their final Olympic qualifying meets in the coming months.

“We’re still hoping we could qualify more athletes to the Olympics. We’re keeping the faith,” said Ramirez.