Thursday, March 27, 2008 Ramirez: Olympic quest still on track
MANILA—Even with only Harry Tañamor making it to the boxing event, Philippine Sports Commission chairman William “Butch” Ramirez remained confident the country can still produce its first gold in the 2008 Olympics in August in Beijing, China.
Although Ramirez expressed sadness over the failure of the five other amateur pugilists to clinch a qualifying berth recently in Kazakshtan, he said he still trust in the Abap’s capability to prepare Tañamor for the Olympiad’s boxing event.
“For me there is no difference if there will be five or only one, who made it to the Olympics. It’s just the same. The Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (Abap) can still make Tañamor ready for the big task,” said Ramirez.
Apart from boxing, the country can also rely on taekwondo as one possible source of a gold in the forthcoming quadrennial games, according to Ramirez.
“Aside from boxing, I have big hope in taekwondo,” added Ramirez.
So far, two Filipino taekwondo jins have already qualified to Beijing —Maria Antoinette Rivero and Tshomlee Go.
“The failure of the five Filipino amateur boxers in Kazakshtan does not reduce our chances of winning gold in the Olympics. We remained hopeful,” said Ramirez.
A total of 13 Filipino athletes have already earned berth in the 2008 edition of the Games. The others were Mark Javier in archery, Ryan Arabejo, Miguel Molina, Daniel Coakley, James Walsh and Christel Simms in swimming as well as Sheila Mae Perez and Rexel Fabriga in diving and two in the compulsory athletics event.
Ramirez also expressed hopes more will earn berth in the qualifying competitions in fencing in Bangkok on April 22 to 29, judo in Korea on April 23 to 28, rowing in Shanghai, China on April 25 to 27 and in lawn tennis in the USA. (FCC)
