By Zatia Denise Danao Gammad
IV-Madame Marie Curie
Photo from news.yahoo.com
It would be another feather in Manny Pacquiao’s cap should plans push through for him to become the flag bearer this coming Olympic Games in Beijing.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wants Pacman to lead the Philippine contingent during the opening ceremonies on August 8. Malacañang has reportedly asked the Philippine Olympic Committee to reconsider a decision made by the executive board to have swimmer Miguel Molina as the Philippine delegation’s official flag bearer.
According to the International Olympic Committee guidelines, the flag bearer must be part of the official delegation as an athlete, coach or team official. Manny Pacquiao has never been part of any national team considering he has begun in his professional boxing career at the age of 16.
To be part of Team Philippines’ 32-member delegation, Pacquiao has to gain first accreditation from the POC and the IOC.
POC spokesman Joey Romasanta said that they are willing to make the necessary arrangements, adding that POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco said that having Pacquiao as our flag bearer will be a big morale-booster to our athletes. The POC believes that he deserves it.
Meanwhile, Chinese Embassy officials said yesterday that Beijing is on the final phases of its preparations to host the 2008 Olympics Games.
Chen Yongshan, Cultural Counselor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Manila, made this assurance after disclosing that all the necessary infrastructures have already been completed.
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