Pinoys in high spirits

BEIJING - Everybody is looking good and feeling fine, something that has brought smiles on the faces of Team Philippines officials and coaches on the eve of the 29th Olympic Games coming off the wraps in lavish, expensive rites here.

"All of them (RP athletes) are in high spirits, ready to play," said Chief of Mission Monico Puen-tevella, calling from the 66-hectare Athletes' Village, where 20 officials and 13 players from one of the smallest teams ever to carry the RP tri-color in the Games are staying.

"Walang may sakit. And everyone is being looked after by our doctors, coaches and officials," added Puentevella, who is scheduled to lead Filipino officials in welcoming President Arroyo and her party Friday night.

In a few more days, the number of the RP team staying in the Village, home to more than 10,500 athletes from a record 205 nations, will increase with the arrival of the two taekwondo bets and their two coaches.

Since action in taekwondo will not begin until the second week of the Games, athletes Mari Antoinette Rivero and Tshomlee Go and coaches Raul Samson and Kim Hong Sok will only depart Manila on Aug. 11.

According to Puentevella, the Filipino athletes have all gone through their usual training regimen since checking in at the huge Village, situated on the fringes of the Olympic Green that houses the iconic National Stadium or Bird's Nest and the Water Cube.

"Based on what they've (coaches and officials) told me, the athletes are doing well in their practice," said Puentevella, who headed the main bulk that arrived here Tuesday afternoon after a four-hour trip from Manila.

Blog Credits: Malaya