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BEIJING (via PLDT) – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today she is
proud of the Filipino athletes competing in the 29th Olympic Games here,
saying they are already winners in their own right.
In a television interview this afternoon at the Jinshou Room of the Asia
Hotel where she and her delegation are billeted, the President told Solar
Sports Channel that it took so much of the individual athletes just to
qualify for the Olympic Games.
In the hearts and minds of the sports-loving Filipino people, the members of
the Philippine athletic delegation to the Beijing Olympiad are already
winners, she said.
“Gusto nating malaman nila na sila ay nagsisimula pa lamang ay kampeon na
sila sa isip at damdamin ng bawat Pilipino,” the President pointed out.
“Lalahok ka pa lamang, or papayagan ka pa lamang na makilahok sa Olympic
Games, kampeon ka na.
“Napakalaki na ng kanilang nagawa… Magaling ang kanilang pagka-katawan ng
bansang Pilipino.
“Kaya sila ay role models ng bawa’t isa sa atin. Talagang kinakatawan nila
ang bansang Pilipinas. Sila ay kampeon na bago pa man nagsimula (ang Olympic
Games),” she added.
The President, who attended Sunday mass this morning at the Cathedral of the
Immaculate Conception in downtown Beijing, said she is happy with the
Philippine contingent to the Beijing Games.
“Tayo’y talagang nasisiyahan dito, at gusto nating malaman ng ating mga
atleta na we are cheering them on,” citing archer Mark Javier whose
performance she watched Saturday.
(full
story)
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