Be realistic about Rio bets – POC

National sports association leaders who are either daydreaming or sleepwalking are being urged by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) to undergo a reality check.

POC first vice president Joey Romasanta, fresh from attending a meeting involving chiefs of mission of all 206 nations for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, will meet with NSA leaders next week “to make a real evaluation of all athletes” aspiring to make the cut.

Several weeks ago, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) had also expressed its disappointment over the bloated list of over 100 athletes that some 20 NSAs submitted for Olympic qualification.

“I will urge national sports association leaders to undergo a reality check,” said Romasanta.

Cluster heads, including POC chairman Tom Carrasco of triathlon and Romeo Magat of tennis, will confer with Romasanta so the Brazilian hosts will not encounter difficulties dealing with the issuance of accreditations.

“The organizers want to know how many will go,” said Romasanta, noting that it is highly unlikely that more than 20 athletes will make it all the way to Rio.

In 2008 in Beijing, there were just 15 athletes sent to compete, while only 11 saw action in London in 2012.

So far, only Fil-Am hurdler Eric Cray has gained a berth after topping an event in the Cayman Islands last May.

Romasanta feels that boxing, swimming, athletics, cycling, weightlifting, taekwondo, golf and rugby have genuine chances of sending Olympic hopefuls.

Interestingly, Romasanta reported that the 12 athletes under the IOC’s Solidarity Movement will have bigger chances of being selected to compete owing to an agreement that was passed in Rio.