Lobby for Suarez as Olympic wild card

THE PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee and the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines are pushing for the inclusion of boxer Charly Suarez in the London Olympics as a wild-card entry.

Chief of mission Manny Lopez yesterday said the POC and the amateur boxing body have requested the International Boxing Federation (Aiba) to consider Suarez for a slot in the July 27 to Aug. 12 Summer Games.

Suarez lost to China’s Liu Quiang in the lightweight final of the Asian Qualifying Event in Astana, Kazakhstan, two months ago.

“We have asked the Aiba to consider the request of Abap for Charly to carry the national colors in the Olympics,” said Lopez, also the first vice president of the POC.

Nine athletes have so far made the country’s Olympic team.

“I call them the Lucky 9—they’re already rewarded and need not win a medal since the qualifying were very stringent,” said Lopez during the PSA Forum presented by Smart, Pagcor and Shakey’s at Shakey’s UN Avenue yesterday.

“Still, we are targeting a medal finish, so we’re preparing them physically, mentally and technically,” he added.

The Philippines last won a medal in 1996, when boxer Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco captured a silver in the Atlanta Olympics.