Coming up with more qualifiers for the Olympics who can perform creditably will be the country’s goal ahead of the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.
“We’re hoping that more Filipino athletes can qualify and, at the same time time, go there (Olympics) ready to produce outstanding performances,” said Philippine Olympic Committee first vice president Joey Romasanta after his designation yesterday as chef de mission for the PH Olympic squad in Rio.
The Philippines has yet to win an Olympic medal since 1996, when boxer Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco bagged the silver in Atlanta.
According to Romasanta, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has been helping the country produce more qualifiers through its Olympic Solidarity Movement (OSM).
BMX rider Daniel Caluag heads the cast of 12 Filipinos from various sports who have been enrolled as Olympic scholars in the OSM.
Also named scholars were taekwondo jins Japoy Lizardo, Kirstie Alora, Kristopher Robert Uy and Christian dela Cruz, boxers Eumir Felix Marcial and Irish Magno, golfers Clare Legaspi and Princess Superal, swimmer Jasmine Alkhaldi, camoeing’s Hermie Macaranas and shooters Amparo Acuña and Hagen Topacio.
Romasanta said these athletes receive a monthly allowance of $500 from the IOC.