Country hero Manny Pacquiao was officially confirmed as the RP Flag bearer for the upcoming Olympic Games. This position is usually reserved for Olympians only but the Beijing Games organizers gave way to the Philippine Olympic Committee’s request to have Pacquiao assume this prestigious role.
The Olympic Games will hold it’s opening ceremonies on August 8, 2008 at 8:08pm. The Philippines will be sending 15 delegates in 8 sports namely Shooting (Eric Ang), Athletics (Henry Dagmil and Marestella Torres), Boxing (Harry Tanamor), Swimming (Christel Simms, James Walsh, Daniel Coakley, Ryan Arabejo and Miguel Molina), Diving (Rexel Ryan Fabrega and Sheila Mae Perez), Taekwondo (Tshomlee Go and Mary Antoinette Rivero), Archery (Mark Javier) and Weightlifting (Hidilyn Diaz). The Philippine Embassy in Beijing is planning to have a Team Welcome Ceremony at the Olympic Village on 4 August 2008 should the Beijing Games organizers allow entry to Filipinos supporting the delegates.
The flag bearer news was announced in Philippine newspapers last July 10, 2008. So.. as usual.. my news is always late. However, I’ll keep you posted with pix and stories of the opening ceremonies which I’ll be watching live at the Bird’s Nest!
Claudine on the Go 