PHL team bags 49 medals in Special Olympics in Greece

12:35:00 AM

PHL team bags 49 medals in Special Olympics in Greece
07/08/2011 | 02:20 PM

Philippine athletes won 49 medals in the 2011 Special Olympics World Games held in Athens, Greece, from June 25 to July 4, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday.

Of the 49 medals, 21 were gold, 13 were silver, and 15 were bronze, the DFA said in a statement.

“Team Philippines won gold medals in athletics, powerlifting, swimming, bocce, and rhythmic gymnastics, while the silver and bronze medals were also won in these five sports events, in addition to bowling and badminton," the DFA said.

It added the 47-member Philippine delegation had participated in seven of 22 sports events at the Special Olympics. More than 7,000 athletes from nearly 180 countries competed in the games.

The DFA said the Philippine delegation included 38 intellectually challenged athletes and their coaches and trainers. Leading the Philippine team was Ma. Theresa Macapagal, president of Special Olympics Philippines.

According to the DFA, the Philippine Embassy in Athens gave full support to the athletes during the 10-day Special Olympics.

The DFA said present during the opening ceremonies were international celebrities such as Stevie Wonder, Vanessa Williams, and Zhang Ziyi, and sports icons Yao Ming, Nadia Comaneci, and Michelle Kwan.

“The Filipino community members cheered the Philippine athletes during the various competitions as well as during the opening ceremonies on June 25 at the historic Kallimarmaron Panthinaikon Olympic Stadium, the site of the first Olympic Games of the modern era," the DFA said.

The DFA also said the embassy hosted a “meryenda" of cookies and ice cream for the athletes at the embassy premises on June 21. At the event, swimming gold medalist Raymond Macasaet and bowling silver medalist Roxanne Ng rendered heartfelt song numbers to the delight of the staff.

On July 3, members of the Philippine team also enjoyed a hearty dinner of Filipino food at the embassy to celebrate the victory of the Philippine team during the sports event. — Source: JE, GMA News

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