GMA gets update on Olympic buildup

Philippine Sports Commission chair Butch Ramirez yesterday briefed President Arroyo on the country’s preparations for next month’s Olympics, assuring her of the national athletes’ sustained buildup for the Games slated Aug. 8-24 in Beijing.

“The President asked how our Olympians are doing and I told her it’s going to be difficult but its possible to win medals in Beijing,” said Ramirez.

Five swimmers – last year’s SEA Games top athlete Miguel Molina, Ryan Arabejo, Christel Simms, Daniel Coakley and JB Walsh – head the lean RP Olympic contingent that includes lone boxer Harry Tañamor, jins Tshomlee Go and Marie Antoinette Rivero, shooter Eric Ang, divers Ryan Fabriga and Sheila Mae Perez and archer Mark Javier.

The Philippines is eyeing two more wild cards in athletics.

“We didn’t give her false hopes but I told her there’s a chance,” said Ramirez on the country’s medal chances in the quadrennial event.

The Chief Executive, who arrived at early dawn yesterday from the United States before going to Baler, Aurora, dropped by the Rizal Badminton Center in the afternoon to pay her last respects to former PSC chief Carlos Tuason in a Mass celebrated by PSC executive director Fr. Vic Uy.

Tuason, who served as PSC chair from 1998-2002, passed away last June 21 in San Francisco, California after a lingering illness. – Joey Villar