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Bacolod City, PhilippinesTuesday, August 7, 2012
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OPINIONS

Where Pinoy shooters excel

Ninfa Leonardia

A Filipino sportsman, unfazed by the miserable finish of Pinoy shooter Brian Rosario in London, was quoted as saying that Pinoys can be world class shooters. That’s right. Put two Pinoys in tandem on a motorcycle, and they are sure to hit their targets.

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American swimming ace Michael Phelps is doing the right thing in saying that he is quitting now. After harvesting 18 gold medals and four silvers for his feats, it is indeed high time that he steps out of the pool. There is saying “Quit while you’re ahead,” but that is something our countrymen do not like to do. So most of them keep on plodding even when they have reached their so-called level of incompetence, and later regret it when they find they had exhausted their talents.

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For Michael Phelps, his explanation is that he wants to have more time for himself. He is already the most decorated athlete in Olympic history, and as reported in the international wire services, he has said “I’ve been able to do everything I wanted. It’s time to move on”. His mother agrees, saying “He needs a little time for himself”. As for Phelps, his plans are simple: He wants to travel, play golf, poker, football, and, my! swim in South Africa where there are sharks!

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But there is also a tragedy in the life of the great athlete. As a child he had been diagnosed to have the affliction called Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, better known as ADHD. In fact, it is said the swimming pool offered a place where he could swim off the extra energy he has got. But perhaps his mother has other reasons for wanting him to quit his swimming career. It is said that while swimming offers him some relief, it also deprives him of the opportunity to be helped because the medic