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Wushu gold – how much is it really worth? |
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Written by Staff
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Wednesday, 13 August 2008 14:27 |
BEIJING – Wushu president Julian Camacho insisted President Arroyo had assured him his wushu artists, competing in the sport as a special (side) event of the Olympics, would also win the P15 million for every gold medal won.
He reiterated what the President said during their conversation:: “Kung maka-gold sila, tatanggap din sila ng P15 million (if they will win the gold, they will also receive P15 million).”
Looks like it’s for real because the First Gentleman is the honorary chairman of the Philippine Wushu Federation.
But RP chef de mission Monico Puentevella cautioned Camacho from issuing statements that could put
President Arroyo on the spot.
“He (Camacho) should be careful. She’s putting the President on the spot,” said Puentevella.
He was reacting to statements by Camacho who claimed that the Chief Executive, during their short conversation the other day, said Pinoy gold medalists in wushu would get as much cash incentives as the regular athletes.
Wushu is listed as a special sport in the Beijing Olympics, and while medals will be awarded to the winners, they will not reflect on the overall standings.
Philippine Sports Commission chair William “Butch” Ramirez, for his part, said “a special gift,” not necessarily amounting to P15 million, awaits Pinoy medalists in wushu.
“I don’t know if it’s true,” said Ramirez. “But should they win a gold or any other medal, we will have a special prize for them.”
Willy Wang, Mary Jane Estimar, Mariane Mariano and Benjie Rivera, who have all received $1,000 as an early reward by the President to the 15 Filipino Olympians, are competing in the wushu event.
The President had earlier pledged P4.5 million for every gold medal won in the Beijing Games, increasing the reward to P15 million made through donation from sponsors and through government incentive under Republic Act 9064 worth P5 million.
Bowler Arianne Cerdena was awarded P1 million for winning the gold when the event was held as a demonstration sport in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul.
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Beijing organizers’ security measures are so air-tight that there’s no way an incident like the infamous 1972 Munich Olympics shootout could ever happen here.
The distance between the main gate and the athletes’ quarters is a whole block and although the compound occupies a wide space, the road to the various gates is so narrow three people will elbow themselves to get through the four checkpoints.
The perimeter fences are two-deep, with a wall and trench. They look like massive fortifications manned by militiamen and plainclothes all over the area.
“Para kaming preso dito,” quipped Philippine delegation administrator Mauricio “Moying” Martelino.
If you are caught walking alone, you’ll be booked for questioning and your pass instantly confiscated. Don’t take shots inside the compound. You book a pass a day in advance.
The Filipino athletes have to walk one block, then take a bus to the other end of the village to have their meals. It’s like the new airport of Beijing where incoming passengers take a five-minute ride in a tram to get to the other end of the arrival area to claim their baggage.
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Mark Javier’s score of 654 in the ranking round improved his Philippine record of 643.
A cordon sanitaire keeps athletes due to compete Wednesday and the next few days away from visitors – including the media and athletes’ families who have come from overseas to cheer members of their family. Chinese coach Zhang Deju won’t allow visitors for Rexel Ryan Fabriga and Sheila Mae Perez who are taking a rest after their morning practice. They compete on Aug. 20 and 22.
Cuban coach Juan Enrique Steyners Tissert has done the same for Harry Tañamor. The Fil-American swimmers are also incommunicado. The taekwondo association is keeping jins Tshomlee Go and Toni Rivero in Manila until Aug. 18 – for the same reason. Both compete next week.
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