Increased PH delegation seen in Rio 2016

By: Randolph B. Leongson - 9 years ago

Cignal head of channels Sienna Olaso, Sports5 head Patricia Bermudez-Hizon, IOC representative Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, former IOC representative Frank Elizalde, and POC first vice president Joey Romasanta. Photo by Randolph B. Leongson

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) first vice president Joey Romasanta expects to see a rise in the number of athletes in the 2016 Rio Olympics come August.

“In Beijing, we had 15 (athletes). In London, we had 11, so we’re hoping to exceed that and have more than 11 athletes here in Rio,” he said on Tuesday.

So far, the country only has five athletes in four sports qualified for the Summer Olympics. But there are still qualifiers for a number of sports where the Philippines has a legitimate chance of nabbing a spot for the quadrennial meet.

Romasanta said that there are still slots up for grabs in basketball, swimming, weightlifting, golf, and shooting, all of which the country can progress to the Olympics.

But for International Olympic Committee (IOC) representative Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, qualifying for the Games should not be the end goal for the athletes.

“We ask them to elevate their game because we don’t just want to be there in the Olympics. We want to win our first gold there,” she said.

READ: Filipino boxer Ladon earns ticket to Rio Olympics

Also, Filipino fans will have a premier seat in that Olympic quest as TV5 brings 16 hours of Olympic action on free TV daily.

“We want to unify our athletes as they go for our first gold and fight for our flag and country,” said Sports5 head Patricia Bermudez-Hizon.

Sienna Olaso, the Cignal head of channels, also shared that they will put up three additional channels on cable for a more thorough Olympic viewing experience.

HYPER and HYPER HD will feature basketball and volleyball games, Rio 1 will cover athletics, aquatics, and racket sports, and Rio 2 will broadcast combat sports, mixed martial arts, boxing, and wrestling.

“It’s our mission to reach out to all corners of the country, teach the values of Olympism, inform the people of our athletes, promote the games, and support the athletes,” said Bermudez-Hizon.

The 2016 Rio Olympics opening ceremonies will also be broadcasted live on August 6 at 7 a.m.