Post by TOPGUN on Aug 4, 2008 9:01:10 GMT 8
Arroyo raises incentive to P15M for Olympic gold
By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez, Christine Avendaño
INQUIRER.net, Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 18:29:00 08/01/2008
MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE) As she bids good luck to the Filipino athletes who will represent the country in the upcoming Beijing Olympics, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said a P15-million incentive awaits to any athlete who brings home the country's first-ever Olympic gold medal.
"Congratulations and good luck," Arroyo told the 12 of 15-member Team Philippines participating in eight events of the August 8-25 Olympic Games, who paid a courtesy call at Malacañang Friday.
The President increased the cash incentive by P4.5 million after the Philippine Olympic Commission earlier announced that gold medalists will be getting P10 million.
“The President announced that the total incentive for those who win the gold is P15 million,'' Press Secretary Jesus Dureza told reporters.
The Philippines has been participating in the World Games for 84 years since its first games in Paris in 1924, but it has yet to win a single gold. The most recent medal of any color was when Filipino boxer Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco brought home the silver in boxing in 1996 Atlanta Oympics.
Under the cash incentive law, a Filipino who will win gold is entitled to receive P5 million.
Dureza said sponsors from the private sector also offered cash prizes that raised the prize for a gold medalist to P10.5 million. On meeting the athletes Friday, Arroyo announced that she was adding another P4.5 million to the prize.
He said the first athlete to win a gold medal will also be getting a Toyota Altis.
Those who will win a silver medal will get P2.5 million, while bronze medalists will get P1 million each.
Arroyo also gave the athletes $1,000 each as allowance.
Arroyo will watch the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games on August 8, on a sidetrip she will take during her visit to China that starts August 7.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Anthony Golez said that Arroyo will share a box with world leaders during the opening ceremonies.
In this year's Olympic Games from August 8 to 24, the country's 15 athletes will compete in eight events: boxing, taekwondo, shooting, archery, diving, swimming, athletics, and weightlifting.
The delegation is composed of Mark Javier (archery); Henry Dagmil and Maristella Torres (athletics); Henry Tanamor (boxing); Miguel Molina, James Walsh, Ryan Arabejo, Daniel Coakley, and Christel Simms (swimming); Rexel Ryan Fabriga and Sheila Mae Perez (diving); Tshomlee Go and Mary Antonoinette Rivero (taekwondo); Eric Ang (shooting); and Hidilyn Diaz (weightlifting).
Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao will carry the flag during the parade of nations.
By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez, Christine Avendaño
INQUIRER.net, Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 18:29:00 08/01/2008
MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE) As she bids good luck to the Filipino athletes who will represent the country in the upcoming Beijing Olympics, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said a P15-million incentive awaits to any athlete who brings home the country's first-ever Olympic gold medal.
"Congratulations and good luck," Arroyo told the 12 of 15-member Team Philippines participating in eight events of the August 8-25 Olympic Games, who paid a courtesy call at Malacañang Friday.
The President increased the cash incentive by P4.5 million after the Philippine Olympic Commission earlier announced that gold medalists will be getting P10 million.
“The President announced that the total incentive for those who win the gold is P15 million,'' Press Secretary Jesus Dureza told reporters.
The Philippines has been participating in the World Games for 84 years since its first games in Paris in 1924, but it has yet to win a single gold. The most recent medal of any color was when Filipino boxer Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco brought home the silver in boxing in 1996 Atlanta Oympics.
Under the cash incentive law, a Filipino who will win gold is entitled to receive P5 million.
Dureza said sponsors from the private sector also offered cash prizes that raised the prize for a gold medalist to P10.5 million. On meeting the athletes Friday, Arroyo announced that she was adding another P4.5 million to the prize.
He said the first athlete to win a gold medal will also be getting a Toyota Altis.
Those who will win a silver medal will get P2.5 million, while bronze medalists will get P1 million each.
Arroyo also gave the athletes $1,000 each as allowance.
Arroyo will watch the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games on August 8, on a sidetrip she will take during her visit to China that starts August 7.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Anthony Golez said that Arroyo will share a box with world leaders during the opening ceremonies.
In this year's Olympic Games from August 8 to 24, the country's 15 athletes will compete in eight events: boxing, taekwondo, shooting, archery, diving, swimming, athletics, and weightlifting.
The delegation is composed of Mark Javier (archery); Henry Dagmil and Maristella Torres (athletics); Henry Tanamor (boxing); Miguel Molina, James Walsh, Ryan Arabejo, Daniel Coakley, and Christel Simms (swimming); Rexel Ryan Fabriga and Sheila Mae Perez (diving); Tshomlee Go and Mary Antonoinette Rivero (taekwondo); Eric Ang (shooting); and Hidilyn Diaz (weightlifting).
Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao will carry the flag during the parade of nations.
