RP sending most expensive team to Beijing Olympics

With a P50 million war chest, the bulk of which was used in foreign exposure and training, the Philippine Sports Commission is hopeful of a successful campaign by the 15-athlete Filipino contingent in the Beijing Olympics next month.

“This is the most expensive training that we have,” said Philippine Sports Commission chair William “Butch” Ramirez, adding they have put premium on the athletes’ foreign exposures and training in their buildup for the Games where the country’s is eyeing to finally bag the elusive gold medal.

“We have to put premium on foreign training, it’s the same strategy of other countries that have succeeded in the Olympics,” said Ramirez.

The sports agency has spent P30 million for foreign exposure with tankers Miguel Molina, Ryan Arabejo, Daniel Coakley, JB Walsh and Chrsitel Simms receiving the big slice of the amount while training in the US.

Another P20 million will be used on the actual participation and contingency fund of the RP delegation in the Beijing Games set Aug. 8-24.

The PSC also shouldered the participation of the RP athletes in qualifying tournaments in at least 12 sports.

Boxer Harry Tañamor has trained and competed in Cuba, Chinese Taipei and some Eastern European countries to hone up for Beijing while taekwondo jins Toni Rivero and Tshomlee Go have been undergoing rigid training in South Korea.

Archer Mark Javier had stints in Egypt and France, shooter Eric Ang trained in Germany and Belgium while divers Sheila Mae Perez and Rexel Ryan Fabriga have been going in and out of China.

Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz is now in Guangzhou, China while long jumpers Marestella Torres and Henry Dagmil honed their talent and skills in the US.

“This is a good start, we should maintain this practice of sending out athletes who have good winning chances to train abroad,” said Ramirez. – Joey Villar