Sports dynasties

If politics has its dynasties, sports isn’t far behind. Take a look at the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). Jose “Peping” Cojuangco has been sitting there for a long time and it looks like he’s not planning to move out “Mahangin sa taas” could be what Peping is probably thinking. On November 25, the POC will hold its quadrennial elections and several names have surfaced. Although considered a strong contender, sports patron Manny Pangilinan is not interested. Also considered are boxing’s Ricky Vargas, Abraham Tolentino of cycling, Mariano Araneta of football, Richard Gomez of fencing and my good friend Tom Carrasco of triathlon. In the last election, Peping ran unopposed. Twenty two votes are needed to win the election and there are 43 votes to be cast with 40 coming from the different NSA’s. In order to qualify for the position, one must be an incumbent president of an NSA for four years and must be active in the POC General Assembly. Peping has been a fixture in the POC and during his term the

ABANGAN!

NO ONE ON SIGHT After Mary Joy Tabal and Vertek Buenavista it looks like there’s nobody on sight to fill in their shoes. Although Tabal went to the RIO Olympics, her performance is nothing to crow about.

On the other hand, Vertek’s national record of 2:18:44, will be hard to break. Vertek broke my protege’s Herman Suizo’s mark of 2:19:50 after 10 years and with the current clocking registered in marathons these days, it will take a long time before a new hero comes along.

Even the Kenyans here could hardly make 2:30. In the shorter races it’s the same story. The 10K mark of 29 mins. (Also by Vertek) will remain unbroken, what with runners clocking 31 minutes for a best effort. Maybe “na purga na ta sa daghang kaayong mga dagan.”

BOB WIELAND completed his first Los Angeles Marathon in over 74 hours. Wieland who lost both legs after stepping on a mortar round while serving in Vietnam, uses his hands in the absence of his legs. Wieland once said “Athlete is not written on your hamstrings or grip or pitching arm, it’s written in your heart.

LILIAN COPELAND was the first female thrower setting numerous records in the shot put, javelin and discus. She won the silver medal in the discus in the 1928 Amsterdam Games, the first women’s track and field event in Olympic history. Four years later in Los Angeles, she won the gold medal on her final throw. A

Philippines’ performances in the Sea Games, Asian Games and the Olympics have been dismal. We even slid to seventh place in the Myanmar Sea Games. My friend Ted C. said, “Peping should be replaced now, he has lived his usefulness este… uselessness.”