Philippines pins hopes on remaining 3 Olympians

MANILA, Philippines – Hopes remain high on the chances of 3 remaining Filipino athletes in the 2012 Olympic games to bag medals in London after boxer Mark Anthony Barriga lost his “valiant” bid for medal glory.

In a press briefing on Sunday, August 5, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said, “Everybody is still hoping for something out of our Filipino contingent. And we, of course, until now we still wish them luck. We still wish them well.”

The 3 remaining Filipino athletes in the London games are Marestella Torres in the long jump competition, Rene Herrera in the 5,000-meter race, and Daniel Caluag in cycling. They are set to see action this week.

Of the three, Caluag has the biggest chance to take home the medal.

Valte also commented on Barriga’s narrow defeat to Kazakh boxer Bishan Zhakypov.

“On the loss of Mr. Barriga, he fought valiantly….Even if he did not advance, he fought valiantly—same with all our other athletes,” Valte said.

She also said the government would concentrate funding particular sports that Filipinos excel in.

She reserved comment on suggestions for former athletes, and not politicians or businessmen, to lead the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). – Rappler.com