Filipinos at the Beijing Olympics
One more day and we’ll get a chance to cheer for our countrymen in the Beijing Olympics!
There is once again lots of excitement and anticipation. Would this be the year that the Philippines will win its first Olympic gold? The Philippine government has put together a special monetary incentive for our athletes to aim for the gold. The latest report has the figure at 15 million pesos ($344,700).
There are 15 Filipino Olympians in Beijing:
1. Mark Javier (Archery)
2. Henry Dagmil (Athletics)
3. Maristella Torres (Athletics)
4. Henry Tanamor (Boxing)
5. Miguel Molina (Swimming)
6. James Wlsh (Swimming)
7. Ryan Arabejo (Swimming)
8. Daniel Coakley (Swimming)
9. Christel Simms (Swimming)
10. Rexel Ryan Fabriga (Diving)
11. Sheila Mae Perez (Diving)
12. Tshomlee Go (Taekwondo)
13. Mary Antoinette Rivero (Taekwondo)
14. Eric Ang (Shooting)
15. Hidilyn Diaz (Weightlifting)
Historically, boxing is where Filipinos have been most successful. And that is where the gold medal hopes are highest. Eyes are on Henry Tanamor to bring home that elusive gold in the light flyweight boxing division. Tanamor also competed in the 2004 Athens Olympics. Here’s hoping that his previous Olympic experience will serve him well.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo left the Philippines today to attend the opening ceremony. She will meet with the Philippine delegation before the start of the Games. With her are her husband Mike Arroyo, House Speaker Prospero Nograles and flag-bearer Manny Pacquiao.
There are a few other Filipinos who will participate in Beijing. CNN’s Beijing Bureau Chief Jaime FlorCruz, his 17-year-old daughter Michelle FlorCruz and Marcos Antonio Torres are among the torch-bearers. Filipino singer Erik Santos will be performing at the closing ceremony.
Join us as we keep tabs on how our Filipino Olympians are doing! For everything Olympics, visit b5media’s Light the Torch.
list of Olympians via Get it from Boy
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