MANILA, Philippines - The weather, as usual, might play a factor when 11 Filipino athletes in eight sports disciplines see action in the London Olympics slated July 27 to Aug. 12.
Based on the monthly weather forecast for the month of July, it will be quite cold in London, with a low of 13 and a high of 23 degrees Celcius.
The forecast should give the Filipino bets in athletics, archery, boxing, BMX, judo, shooting, swimming and weightlifting an idea of what’s in store for them.
July is supposed to be summer time in London, and yet Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco isn’t relying on the forecast.
“Don’t read those weather predictions,” said Cojuangco, adding that he used to visit the United Kingdom once a year.
“Don’t rely on it. The weather in London is unpredictable. I used to go there in December and it was so cold. So, I was told to visit in July,” he said.
To his surprise, when he visited in July, Cojuangco found the weather even colder than that in December.
Cojuangco said this is the reason why they want the Filipino bets to be in London way ahead of the opening ceremony, way ahead of schedule.
In fact, shooter Brian Rosario and swimmers Jasmine Alkhaldi and Jessie Khing Lacuna left for London the other night to join a pre-Olympics training camp.
Rosario should know because in a recent test tournament in London he said he did not perform well because he was bothered by the very cold weather.
They left with swimming coach Carlos Brosas, shooting mentor Josefina Mauricio-Corral and administrative officer Arsenic Lacson.
Cojuangco said if possible, the others should follow suit, and the sooner it is, the better.
“It will be a plus if they get there ahead of the others,” said Manny Lopez, chef-de-mission of the Filipino contingent to the London Summer Games.
“It will give them enough time to acclimatize and familiarize themselves with the place, with the food, the weather and the people around you,” said Lopez.
“Aside from the weather is the fact that the Olympics event is euphoric and ecstatic. An athlete can easily be overwhelmed seeing the superstar athletes. It’s good to get there early,” he added.