PSC to reimburse Olympic bets’ expenses

THE PHILIPPINE Sports Commission has pledged to reimburse the expenses of national athletes who will compete in qualifying tournament for the London Olympics.

But there’s a catch: The government sports agency will only pick up the tabs for those who will make the Olympic grade.

Sports commissioner Jolly Gomez yesterday said National Sports Associations (NSAs) should spend for their athletes’ stints in the qualifying tournaments and then ask for reimbursement from the PSC if the athletes qualify for London.

“If they (NSA officials) are really determined to let their athletes compete, (they must) raise the funding and the PSC will pay them back if they come home with an Olympic spot,” said Gomez.

So far, only five athletes have officially qualified for the London Games—two each from the mandatory sports of athletics and swimming, as well as boxer Mark Anthony Barriga.

The Philippines could yet send the least number of athletes to the Olympiad since the 1928 Amsterdam Games where it sent four.

“I think it’s a fair proposition,” added Gomez. “The NSAs would take the risk if they think their athletes could make it (to the Olympics).”

Athletes in judo, wrestling, shooting, rowing, archery and women’s boxing, among others, are still seeking slots in the Olympics scheduled July 27 to Aug. 12.

NSAs usually allow their athletes to compete in qualifiers despite the low probability of earning an Olympic berth.

“They (NSAs) should look at the performance of their athletes,” said Gomez. “You don’t expect to qualify (for the Olympics) if your athletes can’t even win in the Southeast Asian Games.”