Philippines at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Infobox Olympics Philippines
games=2008 Summer
competitors=15
sports=8
flagbearer=Manny Pacquiao (Opening)
Miguel Molina (Closing)
officials=
gold=0
silver=0
bronze=0

The Philippines competed at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games which was held in Beijing, People's Republic of China from August 8 to August 24, 2008. The country was represented by 15 athletes, who competed in 17 events across 8 sports. The delegation's flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony was boxer Manny Pacquiao, who did not compete in any events. [cite news |author=Sun Yunlong |title=Boxing icon to carry Philippine flag for Beijing Olympics |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/04/content_8489167.htm |publisher=Xinhua News Agency |date=2008-07-04 |accessdate=2008-08-29 ] [cite news |first=Ted |last=Melendres |title=Pacquiao records another first |url=http://www.inquirer.net/specialfeatures/ThePacquiaoFiles/view.php?db=1&article=20080809-153590 |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=2008-08-09 |accessdate=2008-08-29 ] The flag bearer at the Closing Ceremony was swimmer Miguel Molina.

The games' opening ceremony was attended by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the first Philippine president in history to do so.cite news |author=Xu Lingui |coauthors=Liu Hua |title=Philippines' Arroyo says first Olympic gold "priceless" |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/07/content_9004424.htm |publisher=Xinhua News Agency |date=2008-08-07 |accessdate=2008-08-29 ] The Philippine government and private sector pledged a combined sum of P15-million (US$340,909) for any athlete competing in the games who would win the country its first gold medal. Though several national records were broken in swimming and weighlifting events, the country failed to win any medals for the third consecutive Olympiad.

Overview by sport

Archery

Though boxing has been the Philippines' traditional source of medals at the Olympics, the country's only representative for boxing at the Beijing Olympics was Harry Tañamor, who earned his spot at the games through his 2nd place finish at the World Amateur Boxing Championships in 2007. Tañamor was the only Filipino athlete predicted to win a medal in Sports Illustrated's Olympic Preview issue, which tipped him to capture the silver. [cite news |first=Cedelf |last=Tupas |title=Sports Illustrated tips Tañamor to win silver |url=http://sports.inquirer.net/inquirersports/inquirersports/view/20080729-151308/Sports-Illustrated-tips-Taamor-to-win-silver |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=2008-07-29 |accessdate=2008-08-29 ] However, he was defeated by Manyo Plange of Ghana in the first matchup of the games.

Diving

The Philippine swimming team had the largest share of the country's athletes represented in Beijing, with five swimmers competing in seven events.

Though no Philippine swimmer advanced past the preliminary round of their respective events, several national swimming records were broken at the games: Miguel Molina completed the men's 200 m individual medley in 2:01.61, Christel Simms completed the women's 100 m freestyle in 56.67, JB Walsh completed the men's 200 m butterfly in 1:59.39, and Daniel Coakley completed the men's 50 m freestyle in 22.69.cite news |first=Riera |last=Mallari |title=Molina, Simms reset RP marks |url=http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=sports1_aug15_2008 |publisher=Manila Standard Today |date=2008-08-15 |accessdate=2008-08-28 ] Walsh's and Coakley's achievements are also Southeast Asian records.

Taekwondo

The Philippines was represented by two taekwondo practitioners, Tshomlee Go and Mary Antoinette Rivero, both of whom had previously competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.

Tshomlee Go's first matchup was against Ryan Carneli of Australia, who Go had narrowly defeated at the 2007 World Taekwondo Championships.cite news |first=Riera |last=Mallari |title=Go kicked out of Beijing |url=http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=sports1_aug21_2008 |publisher=Manila Standard Today |date=2008-08-21 |accessdate=2008-08-28 ] Go failed to register any points in the match, losing in a 1-0 shutout. Philippine commentators noted that Go had scored points that were not seen and recorded by the judges, including an axe kick to the face of Carneli in the second round. [cite news |first=Marc Anthony |last=Reyes |title=RP coaches rue Go's scoreless stint |url=http://sports.inquirer.net/inquirersports/inquirersports/view/20080821-155919/RP-coaches-rue-Gos-scoreless-stint |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=2008-08-21 |accessdate=2008-08-28 ] Philippine Taekwondo Association President Robert Aventajado later said "We disagree with the outcome, but we have to accept it".

Mary Antoinette Rivero also lost in her first match, against Sandra Saric of Croatia.

Weightlifting

Hidilyn Diaz was selected as a wild card entry to the Summer Olympics by the Philippine Weightlifting Association in early 2008. [cite news |first=Peter |last=Atencio |title=Hidilyn Diaz lifts self to Olympic heights |url=http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=sports4_aug8_2008 |publisher=Manila Standard Today |date=2008-08-08 |accessdate=2008-08-28 ] She is the first female weightlifter to compete for the Philippines in the Olympics, and the second weightlifter overall. [cite news |first=Riera |last=Mallari |title=Love can wait for Hidilyn |url=http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=sports3_aug11_2008 |publisher=Manila Standard Today |date=2008-08-11 |accessdate=2008-08-28 ] Competing in the women's 58 kg class, 17 year-old Diaz lifted 85 kg in the snatch and 107 kg in the clean and jerk for a 192 kg total, breaking the Philippine record that she herself set at the 2007 Southeast Asian Games. [cite news |first=Riera |last=Mallari |title=Diaz falters; Walsh up next |url=http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=sports2_aug12_2008 |publisher=Manila Standard Today |date=2008-08-12 |accessdate=2008-08-28 ] Though she placed second to last in a field of 12 weightlifters, her performance was praised and considered promising for her age. Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William Ramirez said "She's here to gain valuable experience", and predicted that she would be a strong contender at future games. [cite news |first=Riera |last=Mallari |title=Diaz, Walsh start bid today |url=http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=sports2_aug11_2008 |publisher=Manila Standard Today |date=2008-08-11 |accessdate=2008-08-28 ] She is set to undergo an extensive training program to prepare her for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. [cite news |first=Edwin |last=Rollon |title=PSC okays Diaz’s 4-year training |url=http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/iserver?page=sports5_aug21_2008 |publisher=Manila Standard Today |date=2008-08-21 |accessdate=2008-08-28 ]

ee also

* Philippines at the 2008 Summer Paralympics

References

External links

* [http://en.beijing2008.cn/ Beijing 2008 Olympic Games]
* [http://www.olympic.org/ International Olympic Committee]
* [http://www.olympic.ph/ Philippine Olympic Committee]