The Quest for Gold
The date is 08.08.08. The opening day of 2008 Summer Olympics at Beijing, China. It was expected that over 10,500 athletes from 205 countries will compete in 302 events across 28 sports over the span of 17 days until August 24, 2008.
Opening ceremony will start at 8:08 pm at Beijing National Stadium with People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao leading the way as the country’s flag bearer and the Prince of Pop Erik Santos singing the National Anthem.
15 athletes will represent team Philippines for its quest to win the county’s very first gold medal.
- Mark Javier (Archery – Men’s individual)
- Henry Dagmil (Athletics – Men’s long jump)
- Marestella Torres (Athletics – Women’s long jump)
- Harry Tañamor (Boxing – Light flyweight)
- Rexel Ryan Fabriga (Diving – Men’s 10m platform)
- Sheila Mae Perez (Diving – Women’s 3m springboard)
- Eric Ang (Shooting – Trap)
- Miguel Molina (Swimming – Men’s 200m individual; 200m breaststroke)
- James Walsh (Swimming – Men’s 200m butterfly)
- Ryan Arabejo (Swimming – Men’s 1500m freestyle)
- Daniel Coakley (Swimming – Men’s 50m freestyle)
- Christel Simms (Swimming – Women’s 50m freestyle; 100m freestyle)
- Tshomlee Go (Taekwondo – Men’s 58 kg class)
- Mary Antoinette Rivero (Taekwondo – Women’s 67kg class)
- Hidilyn Diaz (Weightlifting – Women’s 58kg class)
Inquirer Sports analyzes the medal chances of each athlete.
In Philippine history, only boxers Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco (light-flyweight) and Anthony Villanueva (featherweight) have came close to the gold, each winning an Olympic silver medal in 1996 Atlanta Olympics and 1964 Tokyo Olympics, respectively.
A P15 million prize will be waiting for the athlete who brings home the big “G”.
“…and so, let the games begin!”
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