PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee president Jose ‘Peping’ Cojuangco believes swimmer Jasmine Alkhaldi should have not competed in the ‘re-swim’ ordered by the jury of appeals after she was stripped of the gold medal in the 27th Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar.
Cojuangco said he had indicated to the Philippine Swimming Inc. (PSI) as well as delegation officials in Nay Pyi Taw not to allow Alkhaldi to swim again in the 100m freestyle after the London Olympian's victory in the event was voided following a protest.
They Said It!
“I don’t think we are teaching the youth the right attitude not only in sports but in life that cheating pays." - POC president Jose 'Peping' Cojuangco
“Ang mali dun, bakit pinalangoy?” said Cojuangco. “I was talking to the swimming association and I told him if I have my way, I will not allow her to swim."
The jury of appeals in the swimming competitions ordered a re-swim of the 100m freestyle event after a protest from Thailand, which claimed that its swimmer heard a horn signalling a false start early in the race although organizers allowed it to go on.
Thailand won the re-swim while Alkhaldi settled for the bronze.
Despite losing the gold, Alkhaldi said shealready felt satisfied with her bronze medal victory and the way she handled the situation by competing in the re-swim.
But Cojuangco had a different take on the matter.
“I guess (my stand) reached the people in Myanmar but she swam. If she didn’t swim, it’s fine. At least we have indicated that we don’t agree with that kind of decision,” said Cojuangco.
Cojuangco said he is also appalled at several instances where "hometown decisions" deprived several Filipino athletes of the gold medal.
“I don’t think we are teaching the youth the right attitude not only in sports but in life that cheating pays,” said Cojuangco.
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