DANIEL Caluag shows off the country’s first gold medal at the 17th Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
Right after capturing the country’s only gold medal in the 2014 Asian Games, Daniel Caluag immediately set his sights on winning the first gold for the Philippines in the coming Rio De Janeiro Olympics.
But until now, the Philippine Sports Commission hasn’t heard anything on Caluag’s progress with roughly a month to go before the end of qualifications for the Aug. 5-21 Games.
“We’ll try to get in touch with Caluag himself and try to find out what’s happening,” said PSC chair Richie Garcia. “So far, we haven’t received any form of communication from him.”
Based in Lexington, Kentucky, the 29-year-old BMX race specialist is vying for a second consecutive trip to the Olympics after finishing last among eight participants in the 2012 London Games.
Garcia said Caluag is expected to race in Europe in the coming weeks in a bid to qualify, but there was no word from the Asian BMX champion yet.
“We have not received any formal funding request for the race in Europe where he will compete,’’ said Garcia.
So far, hurdler Eric Cray and long-jumper Marestella Torres, taekwondo jin Kirstie Alora, boxers Rogen Ladon and Charly Suarez and Ian Lariba of table tennis are the only official Filipino Olympic qualifiers.
Caluag, who won gold medals in the 2013 SEA Games and Asian Cycling Championships, has an Olympic scholarship approved by the Olympic Solidarity Movement of the International Olympic Committee.
Joining him in that elite group are pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnast Carlos Edriel Yulo, swimmers Jasmine Alkhaldi and Jessie Khing Lacuna, taekwondo jins Kirstie Elaine Alora, Kristopher Robert Uy, Sam Morrison and Pauline Louise Lopez.
Boxers Eumir Felix Marcial and Irish Magno, shooter Hagen Topacio, golfer Claire Legaspi and canoeing’s Hermie Macaranas also belong in the special clique where they receive a monthly allowance of $500 for training apart the OSM’s support in qualifying meets.