Philippine Olympic athletes call on President

http://www.gmanews.tv/video/26588/RP-Olympic-athletes-make-courtesy-call-on-Arroyo


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PGMA raises cash pot for first RP Olympic gold to P15 million
http://www.news.ops.gov.ph/today.htm#PGMA%20raises

President Gloria Macapagal–Arroyo raised today from P10.5 million to P15 million the cash pot for the gold medal that Team Philippines will win in the 2008 Beijing Olympics which unreels Aug. 8 in the Chinese capital.

The President made the announcement during the courtesy call of Team Philippines on her at Malacanang’s Heroes Hall this afternoon.

“Congratulations and good luck,” the President said, as she shook hands with the athletes while encouraging them to bring home the Olympic gold that has proved elusive to the Philippines.

An Olympic gold medal would be first for the Philippines. The country has been participating in the World Games for 84 years, or since 1924, but has come up with only nine medals, none of them gold.

The Philippine Olympic Commission had earlier announced that the athlete who wins the first Philippine Olympic gold will receive P10.5 million. The President added P4.5 million to the kitty, upping the total cash pot to P15 million.

The President also gave $1,000 allowance to each of the athletes.

The last time the Philippines won an Olympic medal was in 1996 during the Atlanta Olympics when Mansueto ”Onyok” Velasco returned home with a silver.

In this year’s Olympic Games in Beijing from Aug. 8 to 24, the Philippines is sending 15 athletes who will compete in eight sports disciplines: boxing, taekwondo, shooting, archery, diving, swimming, athletics, and weightlifting.

The athletes and their corresponding fields of competition are as follows: Mark Javier (archery); Henry Dagmil and Maristella Torres (athletics); Henry Tanamor (boxing); Miguel Molina, James Wlsh, Ryan Arabejo, Daniel Coakley, and Christel Simms (swimming); Rexel Ryan Fabriga and Sheila Mae Perez (diving); Tshomlee Go and Mary Antoinette Rivero (taekwindo); Eric Ang (shooting); and Hidilyn Diaz (weightlifting).

The athletic delegation was accompanied to Malacanang by Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Jose Cojuangco Jr., Philippine Sports Commission Chair William Ramirez ,and Chef de Mission Monico Puentebella.

Team Philippines turned over to the President a set of the official uniform of the delegation, and the Chief Executive gamely put on a jacket.

In return, the President turned over to the Olympics-bound team the Philippine flag that reigning World Boxing Council lightweight champion Manny Pacquiao will carry during the parade of nations.

The Filipino boxing idol was appointed by the President as the country’s special Olympics envoy and flag-bearer during the parade of nations.

The President was also presented her and the First Gentleman’s accreditation papers to watch the Aug. 8 opening of the Beijing Games.