Olympic vets out to inspire athletes
Over 20 Olympic veterans, including three medalists, vowed to unite in inspiring Filipino athletes to pursue their dreams during the general assembly of the Philippine Olympians Association (POA) at the Manila Golf Club in Makati the other day.
POA chairman Rafael Hechanova hosted the event that was attended by newly appointed PSC commissioners Charles Maxey and Arnold Agustin, Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) president Philip Juico, Table Tennis Association of the Philippines (TATAP) president Ting Ledesma and Rio-bound taekwondo jin Kirstie Alora. PATAFA tops the NSA list for most athletes in the Philippine delegation to Rio with marathoner Mary Joy Tabal, long jumper Marestella Torres and 400-meter hurdler Eric Cray while TATAP will make history with Ian Lariba as the first-ever table tennis player to represent the country in the Olympics.
The POA was organized in 2002 and is affiliated with the World Olympians Association (WOA), recognized by the IOC in 1996 with a membership roster that has grown from 25 to 142 countries in 20 years.
Hechanova said the POA is aligned with the WOA’s objectives. The 1952 basketball Olympian said the POA has 390 registered members and is now updating its directory, calling on Olympians to email their contact details to philippineolympiansassociation@gmail.com. “We want to spread throughout the country the importance of the Olympics and the Olympic ideals,” he said. “We’re encouraging our youth to go into sports so they will not turn to drugs or be glued to their gadgets. We need to care for ourselves physically and there’s no better time to begin this culture and value than when kids are young.”
Hechanova said the POA will also look for ways to assist Olympians in securing insurance for health reasons and coordinate with the WOA in providing for their welfare through education. Three years ago, the WOA launched a development grant program where member countries may apply for a subsidy of at least $1,000 for administrative, project and communication expenses. Applicants for this year are Zimbabwe, South Korea, Great Britain, Moldova and India. The POA may consider applying for a grant in the future if necessary.
POA president Akiko Thomson-Guevara, a former PSC commissioner and a three-time Olympian, said in the works is a school tour where former Olympians will share their story to inspire athletes. “We’ll come knocking on your door and we hope you let us in,” ThomsonGuevara told the Olympians. “This will be our way of inspiring young Filipino athletes to become future Olympians.”
The Olympic medalists who attended the general assembly were 1992 taekwondo (then an exhibition sport) bronze medalist Stephen Fernandez, 1992 boxing bronze medalist Roel Velasco and 1996 boxing silver medalist Onyok Velasco.
The meeting also gathered former Olympians Brian Rosario (shooting, 2012), Rachel Anne Cabral (archery, 2012), Harry Tanamor (boxing, 2004, 2008), Arlan Lerio (boxing, 2000), Isidro Vicera (boxing, 1992), Elias Recaido (boxing, 1996), Arlo Chavez (boxing, 1992), Violito Payla (boxing, 2004), Makati Rep. Monsour del Rosario (taekwondo, 1988), Roberto Cruz (taekwondo, 2000), Norberto Oconer (cycling, 1988, 1992), Toni Leviste (equestrian, 2000), Rene Herrera (5000-meter run, 2012), Jethro Dionisio (shooting, 2004), Benjamin McMurray (judo, 1988), Donnie Geisler (taekwondo, 2000) and Lerma Balauitan (100-meter run, 2000).
Juico, who won’t be able to make the trip to Rio, said he’s not discounting the possibility of athletics bagging a medal. “Cray could be good for a bronze, who knows?” he said. Torres was initially included in the Rio delegation as a universality exception but when Tabal qualified for marathon, she made it on her own. Tabal’s qualifying mark is about 20 minutes or five kilometers off the gold medal standard in London so she has a lot of ground to cover but Cray and Torres are within striking distance of a podium finish.
Herrera, 37, said he’ll never forget his experience in London. The five-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist in the 3,000-meter steeplechase competed in the 5,000-meter run at the 2012 Olympics and finished dead last in his heat where world champion Mo Farah was first. Herrera crossed the finish line alone with nobody close, over a lap later than Farah who waited for the Filipino. As Herrera completed the course, the entire stadium erupted in applause and Farah raised his left arm to acknowledge the courageous effort.