Tougher 'qualifier' set for Olympic tankers

MANILA, Philippines - Ten Filipino swimmers, led by veteran Miguel Molina, are aspiring to make it to the 2012 London Olympics but they would have to work overtime given the more stringent qualification system now in effect.

Aside from having to meet the qualifying time (QT) set by the International Swimming Federation (Fina) in designated competitions like the 2011 Fina World Championships and the Southeast Asian Games, Molina and company will have to maintain a high ranking in their respective events to make the cut for the Olympiad.

According to Philippine Aquatics Sports Association (PASA) president Mark Joseph, the International Olympic Committee has set a quota of only 900 athletes for swimming, some 1,000 less than the previous participation, so the aspirants would have to be ranked and pruned down accordingly.

“The qualifying criteria for 2012 is now the most difficult. Whereas before when you meet the qualifying time and advance to the Olympics, now you have to be ranked among the Top 900 in the world to make it,” Joseph said in a radio interview.

Two-time Olympian Molina and Ryan Arabejo, he said, have actually met the QTs in the 200 meter individual medley and 1,500m freestyle, respectively, during the 2009 SEAG and they only need to repeat such clocking within an 18-month period to earn their slots to London.

Others vying for berths are Charles Walker, Daniel Coackley, Erica Totten, Jessie King Lacuna, Jasmine Alkhaldi, Dorothy Hong, Banjo Borja and Joaquin Gonzales, who are just a few seconds off the QTs.

“As of today, we have 10 (swimming) aspirants for 2012, who have a chance to meet the qualifying times and hopefully with the support of the PSC, continue improving so they can maintain their ranking (en route to qualifying to the Olympics),” he said.