Bitbit's last-minute appeal denied

MANILA, Philippines - Despite her last-minute plea with race organizers, cyclist Marites Bitbit was denied the chance to compete in her last two remaining events in the 25th SEA Games in Laos.

Bitbit was part of the 13-strong RP cycling team that went to Laos despite the fact that 12 of them did not have the license to race from the Union Cycliste Internationale or UCI.

Only Bitbit carried the UCI license, and actually had the chance to shoot for her third straight SEA Games gold medal following her victories in the cross-country race in 2005 in Manila and the road race in Thailand in 2007.

A gold medal in Laos could have earned the 31-year-old Bitbit P300,000 in cash incentives. In fact, before she left Manila last week, she had told friends she felt she was sure of coming home with a gold medal and P300,000 in her pocket.

But Bitbit was caught in the crossfire and found herself signing a letter that said the entire RP team had decided to withdraw as a team, as a sign of unity. The Philippine Olympic Committee submitted the letter to Laos SEA Games organizers the other day.

However, Bitbit felt she should compete, saying it was her duty to the country, and that’s the reason she went to Laos. But her last-minute appeal was turned down by the Asean Cycling Federation under Abdul Wajab.

“She was not allowed to compete in the individual time trial (tomorrow) and the road race (on Monday) after she talked to Wajab’s assistant, Maniam Manikam,” said Philippine Cycling Federation official Jojo Villa.

“She was told that the POC had already withdrawn all entries for cycling, and that a directive had already reached the organizers,” said Villa.

At her age, Bitbit feels that this could be her last SEA Games. But there was nothing more she could do after the withdrawal letter reached the organizers, and now she will come home empty-handed.

In yesterday’s Scoop sa Kamayan Forum, Bitbit had a phone conversation with Villa, and said she wanted to race even if her 12 other teammates were barred from competing.

“Gusto ko po talagang kumarera alangalang sa bayan, kasi yun naman talaga ang dahilan kaya ako pinadala dito (I want to race for our country and besides that’s the reason why I was sent here),” Bitbit said.

“What hurts Tes is that she was willing to fight for the country even by her lonesome. But she was prevailed upon by delegation officials to show that she is united with her teammates who were disqualified),” Villa added.

“I was talking to her (Bibit) this morning and she was crying because she told me that she really wanted to compete because she felt she has a big chance to win at least two gold medals, especially in the cross country event because the Thai cyclist who beat her is no longer around,” he added.