TONI Rivero has sacrificed a lot so as to prepare herself for a tough task, that is winning a gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

                   That includes her studies.

                The 20-year-old Rivero is an athletics scholar in Ateneo, where she is taking up Interdisciplinary Studies. But she had to take a leave of absence for a year in preparation for the Olympics, Ateneo taekwondo varsity team coach Jobet Morales said.

                “In Ateneo, you have to take a leave if you will be absent for more than two weeks,” Morales, also a member of the national team coaching staff, said. “She took a leave so that she could prepare.”

                Rivero was also slated to compete in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) last season as a freshman, but she decided not to as the World Championships in Manchester, England, in September—a qualifier for the Beijing Olympics—was drawing near at that time.

                “We decided not to field her because it is risky. She might get an injury for the world championship if she competes in the UAAP,” said Morales.

                Rivero did not qualify in the world championship but instead got the ticket to Beijing to compete in the women’s 57-kilogram division in the Asia Olympic qualifier in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, last December.

                Morales said Ateneo gave her a sendoff lunch days before the Olympics, attended by school officials. The school held a Mass, officiated by Ateneo president Fr. Bienvenido Reyes, for Rivero.

                Ateneo athletic director Ricky Palou said the school has no definite incentive if Rivero wins a gold medal in the Olympics.

                “Bahala na si MVP sa kanya,” Palou said.

                MVP is Manny V. Pangilinan, a staunch supporter of Ateneo and the chief executive of Smart Communications, one of the sponsors of the taekwondo national team.

                Knowing Pangilinan’s generosity, there might be. It is best though if it is kept a secret.

                “They say na secret muna. Mabuti na rin iyong secret. It will be added pressure on her [if she knows the incentive],” said Morales.

                After the Olympics, Rivero will return to Ateneo for the coming semester to yet again to become just a normal college student.

                That is unless she wins the elusive Olympic gold medal for the Philippines.

Tshomlee one and done, too

BEIJING—Taekwondo jin Tshomlee Go crashed out in the first round, just like boxer Harry Tañamor before him.

Beating Malaysian, making semis is all Fabriga hopes for

BEIJING—Like almost everyone else, Rexel Ryan Fabriga is going for the modest in men’s 10-meter springboard of diving in the 29th Olympic Games.

Torres banishes fear of world-class foes

BEIJING—Marestella Torres walked with a limp as she roamed, for the first time in two weeks, the spacious Olympic Village on Wednesday. With a heavily bandaged left knee, Torres shopped for souvenirs with diver Shiela Mae Perez.

Toni puts studies on hold to chase Olympic dream

TONI Rivero has sacrificed a lot so as to prepare herself for a tough task, that is winning a gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Back home, pundits believe Go didn’t get points for his hits

LOCAL taekwondo pundits believed that some points were not awarded to Tshomlee Go, who lost his first-round match to Ryan Carneli of Australia, 1-0, Wednesday.

STRONGER RP-F.I.B.A. TIES

BEIJING—Basketball Association of the Philippines-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP) officials were expected to arrive here late Wednesday with the intention of strengthening the association’s ties with the International Basketball Federation (Fiba).

Part Of The Game: Sports star

We wish. That seems to be our collective sigh as we watch the Olympic Games unfold day by day in Beijing.