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IN order
for Manny Pacquiao to become the country’s flag-bearer
in the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony on August 8,
the Filipino boxing sensation would have to “borrow” the
accreditation card of one of the Philippine delegation’s
doctors.
The
procedure was based on an instruction the Philippine
Olympic Committee (POC) received from the Olympic
organizers in Beijing.
“[Since]
the deadline for accreditation has lapsed on April 15,
the accreditation department told us to make
arrangements for the entry visa of Pacquiao at the
Chinese Embassy,” said Moying Martelino, POC
administrative head for the Beijing Olympics, after
Wednesday’s POC executive board meeting that exclusively
tackled the Pacquiao issue.
“Hindi
ide-deny ng Chinese Embassy iyon,” he
added, expressing confidence the boxer will readily get
his visa.
Martelino explained that Pacquiao will next proceed to
the embassy’s accreditation center where he will use the
accreditation of Dr. Sonny Odullo, one of three doctors
on Team Philippines.
“Some of
the officials can change their accreditation once. In
this case, we asked Dr. Odullo to come on August 9, so
Pacquiao can use his accreditation from August 5 to 8,”
he explained.
President Arroyo insisted on making Pacquiao the Team
Philippines flag-bearer during the traditional
countries’ march in the opening ceremony. His
appointment broke tradition because Pacquiao is not a
competitor in the Olympics and is neither an official
member of the delegation in any other capacity. Pacquiao,
too, has never been an Olympian nor had he represented
the country in international boxing competitions as an
amateur.
Martelino expressed there is nothing wrong with the
appointment of Pacquiao, a professional boxer.
“It is
the prerogative of the NOC [National Olympic Committee]
to designate a flag bearer. Ang importante lang,
he must be a delegate appointed by the NOC. He is now
part of the delegation; that gives him residence in the
Athletes’ Village,” he added.
Boxing
demigod Muhammad Ali was a torchbearer during the 1996
Atlanta Olympics, and although he became famous and
successful as a professional boxer, Ali himself was an
Olympian—he won the light-heavyweight gold medal as
Cassius Clay in the 1960 Rome Games.
Martelino said Pacquiao’s presence in the opening
ceremony would boost the morale of the 15 Filipino
Olympians, including swimmer Miguel Molina who he
replaced as flag-bearer.
“This is
a blessing in disguise because he can help boost the
morale of our athletes,” said Martelino. |
