Octogenarians head gathering of Olympians

SWIMMER Jacinto Cayco, who competed in the 1948 London Olympics, was the oldest attendee of the recent Philippine Olympians Association (POA) general assembly held in Alphaland, Makati to honor the athletes who made the country proud.

Cayco, 89, came with 82-year-old brother Pedro, also a swimmer who competed eight years later in Melbourne.

Other Olympians who graced the event were low hurdler Manolita Cinco-Dopeno, 81; cager and POA chair Rafael Hechanova, 86; cager Tony Genato; trackster Claro Pellosis, 79; and 1968 Mexico Games cagers Orly Bauzon and Elias Tolentino.

Cyclist Rolando Guaves, weightlifters and three-time Olympians Salvador del Rosario, Gregorio Colonia and Sammy Alegada, and taekwondo jins Monsour del Rosario and POA vice president Stephen Fernandez also shared their Olympic experiences.

Jacinto Cayco recalled the cold water of the London pools while Dopeno said athletes during their time were more disciplined and followed their coaches to the letter.

Del Rosario and Fernandez regret facing Korean world champions right away, hampering their medal bid, while Guaves could only envy the lightweight bikes being used nowadays.

ThePOAalso presented taekwondo association executive vice president Sun Chong Hong and Smart Communications the Arete awards for their contribution to Philippine sports.

Also honored were the newest members of the POA, including those who saw action in the 2012 London Olympics. They were inducted by Hechanova while Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes delivered the inspirational talk.