Filipino Special Athletes Shine in Athens

38 Filipino Special Athletes Shine in Athens
By: Yoko Ramos-Vingno

Greece was home recently to 7,000 intellectually challenged athletes from over 170 countries during the recently concluded XIII Summer Special Olympics held in Athens last June 25 to July 4, 2011. The 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games is so far the largest sports event held in the world this year.

The Philippine team, a 47-member delegation composed of athletes with their coaches and trainers, competed in 7 disciplines out of 23 special sports events. Our athletes won 49 medals in athletics, powerlifting, swimming, bocce, bowling, rhythmic gymnastics and badminton – broken down as follows: 21 gold, 13 silver and 15 bronze medals.

Mrs. Ma Theresa J. Macapagal, President of the Philippine Special Olympics Team, led our athletes all 38 of them as they marched and entered the historic Kallimarmaron Panathinaikon Stadium (site of the first Olympic summer games in 1859) last June 25, 2011 for the opening ceremonies graced and honored by no less than the President of the Hellenic Republic Karolous Papolias.

Our athletes: (BOCCE) Marie Margaret Babst, McMerril John Derrama, Liza Mel Dayon and John Brian Menoza; (ATHLETICS/TRACK&FIELD) Cherry Rose Lopez, Phoebe Candole, Salamiel Montano, Emilda Soriano, Carl Francis Macabales, Jose Marin Erdao, Michael Ignatius Mora and Ryan Mosquera; (AQUATICS/SWIMMING) Aivie Dungca, Raymond Macasaet, Shella Mae Suniega and Rodney Christopher Gutang; (BOWLING) Roxanne Salve Ng, Mark David Inductivo, Marie Stephanie Babst and Bryan Robles; (POWERLIFTING) Alvin de Chavez, Louis John Decolongon and Magiting Gonzalez; (BADMINTON) Andrew Lim, Maria Angelica Manzanares, Benrafii Omar and Anna Luisa Se; (RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS) Vivian Mayhay, Marilou Sibayan, Melanie Valdez and Sherlyn Veyra.

Also present to cheer and give support to the Filipino athletes for the Opening Ceremonies were representatives from the Philippine Embassy and the Filipino community in Athens led by Chargé d’Affaires Constancio R. Vingno, Jr with his wife, Yoko.

Former Ms USA turned singer/actress Vanessa Williams co-hosted the event with Greek celebrities. They were joined by other international celebrities guests in the persons of Chinese superstar actress Zhang Ziyi, NBA star Yao Ming, former Olympic gymnast champion from Romania Nadia Comaneci, American figure skater and two time Olympic medalist Michelle Kwan and superstar singer Stevie Wonder, who sang a couple of songs.

President Papoulias was joined by Ms Joanna Despotopoulou (Greek Organizing Committee head) and Timothy P. Shriver (Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics).

During the games, Filcom members and embassy officers and staff provided moral support to our athletes and cheered them whenever possible as they competed in their respective events. Many of our kababayans also did volunteer work for the entire Philippine delegation.

Prior to the start of the competitions, CDA Vingno invited the PH delegation to the Embassy for merienda and to officially welcome our athletes to offer them the Filipinos in Greece’s moral support to our athletes. After the competitions and 49 medals, CDA Vingno hosted anew a victory dinner for the entire PH delegation and Filipino volunteers.


Oath of the Special Olympics

The oath of the Special Olympics athlete is “Let me Win! But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt!” Participants of this Special Olympics are all considered winners. They are winners in their struggle for self-esteem and winners in their struggle to defend their special abilities.