HIMSELF speaking, Russian President Vladimir Putin said a “sports contest can only be interesting when it’s honest.”
Putin, who’s skipping the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, has ordered an investigation after the Russian athletics federation was banned from international competitions-including the Olympics—for alleged involvement in widespread doping.
It was not mentioned, but there was reason to believe the doping mess was one of the stumbling blocks that led Putin to skip the Apec.
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Here at home, there were those who honestly believed Putin would’ve at least asked for national treasure Manny Pacquiao had he bothered to come over.
Putin, quite able, happens to be a tough, titled martial arts practitioner, who recently honored American boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. by granting him Russian citizenship.
So far, there had been nothing clear on Pacquiao’s whereabouts as the APEC summit neared.
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Pacquiao was in Dubai last week with his Mahindra Enforcers to coach and play in a PBA game.
There was no itinerary mentioned for the boxing superhero after it was frankly clarified by PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa in Dubai that the eight-divison world boxing champion was, first of all, “not really a basketball player, he’s a boxer.”
Pacquiao did not bother to comment; if he got irked, he had refused to show displeasure.
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After his Dubai sojourn, Pacquiao was however next seen in Athens enjoying the sights, strutting it out, basking in the Mediterranean sun.
At the same time, there was no word on whether he would be involved in the Apec as the most internationally renowned Filipino of his time.
Had there been efforts to involve Pacquiao as the country prepared to present its best-of-the-best to the world?
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Or did Pacquiao try to keep a distance from the Apec summit?
A random feel of the public pulse suggested a Pacquiao presence in the Apec would help project a truly bright image for the country.
“I believe Pacquiao should at least be seen during the Apec summit,” said premier jazz artist Richard Merk.