2012 OLYMPICS: ELEVEN ATHLETES TO REPRESENT THE PHILIPPINES
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 05 Jul 2012
Mark Anthony Barriga.
The Philippines will send the leanest Olympic delegation since the country participated with 12 athletes in the 1996 Games in Atlanta, Georgia, USA when Mansueto ?Onyok? Velasco won the silver medal in boxing. There were 15 in the 2008 Games in Beijing. Only eleven athletes will see action in the 2012 Olympics scheduled from July 27 to August 12.
The eleven athletes are:
Mark Anthony Barriga (boxing)
Marestella Torres (athletics)
Rene Herrera (athletics)
Jasmine Alkhaldi (swimming)
Jessie Khing Lacuna (swimming)
Hidilyn Diaz (weightlifting)
Brian Rosario (shooting)
Tomohiko Hoshina (judo)
Daniel Caluag (BMX cycling)
Mark Javier (archery)
Rachelle Anne Cabral-dela Cruz (archery)
There are Filipino athletes who are based abroad, namely, judoka Tomohiko Hoshina, who is staying in Japan and BMX cyclist Daniel Caluag, who came from the United States.
The latest additions were archers Mark Javier and Rachel Cabral after qualifying in the recently-concluded World Archery Championships in Ogden, Utah.
The athletes are all asking for the Filipinos? support and prayers as they face stiff competition from the world?s best sportspersons.
?It?s very difficult now especially that my opponents have won the gold, silver or bronze in the previous Olympic Games,? said Barriga, the lone Filipino boxer who will campaign at the light flyweight division.
?The most important thing is for our athletes to do their best and show the heart and determination that is present in every Filipino. Our focus is to show the world that we have the makings of champions and that we are unyielding and steadfast in achieving our goals.? said Mr. Jose ?Peping? Cojuangco, President of the Philippine Olympic Committee.
President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III in a message challenged them to compete in the Olympics in London to end the Philippines' 16-year medal drought. Aquino said, "I know the world may not be expecting us to take home multiple gold medals. But I believe in the capacity of the Filipino to surprise. I believe in the capacity of the Filipino to be excellent in anything they do?to be world class."
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