INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines -- President Macapagal-Arroyo will be joining other heads of state as special guests of the International Olympic Committee during the opening of the 2008 Beijing Olympics in August.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. announced the development after receiving a formal notice from Malacañang confirming Arroyo’s attendance in the world’s biggest sports spectacle.

The announcement came after Arroyo committed to spearhead the fund-raising campaign for the country’s bets hoping to capture a first-ever Olympic gold medal.

Olympic chief of mission and POC vice president Monico Puentevella said Arroyo has pledged to provide a “godfather” for every athlete who will see action in the Olympiad six months from now.

Cojuangco said Philippine Ambassador to China Sonia Cataumber Brady will be in charge of arranging the accommodations for the entourage of Arroyo and her official security.

“We have received an official confirmation from Malacañang that the President will definitely attend the Olympics,” said Cojuangco.

“The IOC has already made a special arrangement with the Chinese government regarding its hosting with the dignitaries,” he added. “I’m not just sure whether she’ll stay or go after the opening ceremonies.”

So far, 11 athletes have qualified for the Olympics slated to start Aug. 8 with the Philippine Sports Commission committing P40 million to bankroll their training and preparation.

The country almost won its first gold medal during the term of Arroyo’s father, President Diosdado Macapagal, but Anthony Villanueva lost in the boxing finals of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

Taekwondo jins Tshomlee Go and Marie Antoinette Rivero and boxing’s Harry Tañamor are perceived to be the best bets to capture a gold.

Other athletes who made it to Beijing are swimming’s Miguel Molina, Ryan Arabejo, Daniel Coakley, JB Walsh and Christel Simms, divers Sheila Mae Perez and Rexel Ryan Fabriga and Mark Javier of archery. With a report from Marc Anthony Reyes