MANILA, Philippines?Former Olympian Gillian Akiko Thomson has been appointed commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission, replacing Jose Mundo.

Thomson?s appointment was announced by Malacañang Tuesday, 10 days before the opening of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

?The move shows the positive steps that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is bent on re-invigorating the sports agency as it prepares for the country?s participation in future international events,? the PSC said in a statement.

The 34-year-old Thomson, born to an American father and a Filipino-Japanese mother, made big waves in the international arena in the ?90s, winning two golds and two silvers in swimming events in the 1991 Southeast Asian Games in Manila.

Thomson also saw action in the Barcelona Olympics in 1992. She served as secretary-general of the Philippine Amateur Swimming Association until her appointment was announced.

?We welcome Ms Thomson to the PSC Team as it surges towards its goal of excellence in sports,? said PSC chair Butch Ramirez, who also acknowledged Mundo?s contribution to the sports agency. Cedelf P. Tupas