INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines—With a P15 million price tag, the Philippines’ elusive Olympic medal is surely worth its weight in gold.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo outdid everybody else Friday when she announced an additional P4.5-million incentive for the athlete who will bring home the first Olympic gold medal during Team Philippines’ courtesy call at the Malacañang.

The President spent just five minutes with the 12 Olympic-bound athletes but that was enough for her to announce the increase in the gold medal pot which drew wild applause at the Palace’s Heroes’ Hall.

“Congratulations ha, good luck,” said Ms Arroyo, who will fly to the Chinese capital on Aug. 7 to cheer the team on during the opening ceremony the next day. “I heard you have P10.5 million for the gold winner. I will add P4.5 million, so it’s now P15 million.”

After donning the Philippine team’s jacket, she talked briefly to the athletes one by one before heading for the exit. She was already out of the room when the Philippine Sports Commission distributed the $1,000 Olympic allowance to each of the 26 athletes and coaches.

“The President understands that it’s important to give the athletes the ultimate challenge,” said PSC chair Butch Ramirez.

He said the P15-million incentive was the biggest in the history of the country’s Olympic participation. When boxer Mansueto Velasco won a silver in the 1996 Atlanta, he received a house and lot, a brand new car and at least P1 million from the government.

Olympic chief of mission Monico Puentevella said the Olympic windfall could drastically change the lives of the athletes.

“You can buy a house, marry or even open a business with that kind of money,” said Puentevella.

But for some of the athletes, the cash windfall is not the only motivation.

“The intention is good, another thing to motivate us to excel,” said taekwondo jin Mary Antoinette Rivero, a favorite in her -67kg class. “But we will be there to get the gold.”

Her teammate, Tshomlee Go (-58kg), said the promise of a rich bonanza could add up to the pressure. “It’s better to focus on our game plan. It’s going to be difficult if you think what you’re going to do with that money.”

The other golden prospect, boxer Harry Tañamor, didn’t make it to Malacañang as he was winding up his training in Baguio City.

Boxing chief Manny Lopez said they are “simulating the five-day competitions in Beijing” with a series of sparring bouts. Boxing is slated on Aug. 13, 16, 19, 22 and 24. “We have prepared him to make the finals,” Lopez said.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose Cojuangco said he was confident the country would take home medals from the Games and cited the taekwondo jins Tañamor and shooter Eric Ang as the biggest prospects.

“We have four athletes who are very, very close to the winning standard,” said Cojuangco.

The POC will also give out $500 to each athlete as their allowances.

Also at the Palace were swimmers Miguel Molina, Christel Simms, JB Walsh, Ryan Arabejo and Daniel Coakley, divers Shiela Mae Perez and Ryan Rexel Fabriga, weightlifter Heidilyn Diaz, tracksters Marestella Torres and Henry Dagmil. Ang and archer Mark Javier are already in Beijing.