Garcia: It’s a great privilege to have Olympic rep

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia welcomed news that champion equestrienne Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski will soon be the next International Olympic Committee representative to the Philippines.

Garcia said the Philippines should consider it a great privilege for the IOC to continue its representation in the country.

There are 204 member countries in the IOC but as of now there are only 104 IOC representatives. And since there are countries with two IOC representatives, it means that over a hundred countries have none.

“First of all it’s a great honor to have an IOC representative to the Philippines,” said Garcia yesterday after news came out that Jaworski is just waiting for the final confirmation from the IOC general assembly in Buenos Aires.

From among 70 candidates, the 39-year-old Jaworski made it to the top 40. The list was eventually pruned down to the final nine, all of whom are expected to be named the newest members of the IOC this week.

Garcia said it’s very important to have an IOC representative in the country.

“By having one, we will have a voice in the IOC,” said the chairman of the government sports agency, referring to Jaworski, a gold medalist in the 2002 Busan Asian Games and daughter of Philippine Olympic Committee chief Jose Cojuangco.

Since the Philippines joined the IOC or the Olympic movement in 1918, there have only been two IOC representatives to the country.

First was Jorge B. Vargas, the grandfather of current Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (ABAP) president Ricky Vargas, who held the position from 1936 until the time of his death in 1980. His replacement, Frank Elizalde, was named five years later in 1985.

Elizalde is stepping down by the end of this year, and Jaworski is bound to take his place.

“As Frank Elizalde was a big help to the Philippines when he was in the IOC, we expect the same from her (Jaworski). She will be a good member of the IOC,” said Garcia.

The IOC general assembly is being held in Buenos Aires. The other day, it named Tokyo as host of the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Jose Romasanta, POC first vice-president, said Jaworski’s confirmation or election as new IOC member may come today or tomorrow or before the IOC names the successor to outgoing president Jacques Rogge.