Athletes Presence

For the next few days, 10,500 athletes will make their presence felt in Beijing, People's Republic of China from August 8 to August 24, 2008

They are expected to compete in 302 events in 28 sports, one event more than was on the schedule of the 2004 games. There will 9 new events and these includes 2 from the BMX cycling. I remember Jose Sumalde, the former back to back King of Tour of Luzon back in the 70s who made his presence on the road around the routes of that cycling event. What ever happened to that event? Probably, no more sponsors. I also used to have a BMX bike.

This edition also marks the third time that Olympic events will have been held in the territories of two different National Olympic Committees (NOC), as the equestrian events will be held in Hong Kong. My best friend Bien Perez, who writes for South China Morning Post, (unless he is in Beijing with his wife Arleen) will probably be watching this event in HK?

Wishing the Philippine team the best of luck to go for gold and make the country proud!

Would you believe, when I pressed my thumb at the biometrics this morning, the clock read 8:08! Wow... that is really a lucky number!