BAT Basque Team with Ainhoa Murua hopes in London to tie Beijing's Olympic presence
BAT Basque Team hopes to tie the presence of 24 Basque athletes in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing this summer in London, despite the fact that the demands are greater.
In the appearance of those responsible today at the Euskalduna Palace in Bilbao, their satisfaction with the “sports results and the management of the four years of the Foundation” was evident, said the Director of Sports of the Basque Government Patxi Mutiloa.
Positive signs that athletes recognize for “the scholarships, technical and medical advice, sports dissemination and the initiative for job reintegration when finishing the stage in active sports,” commented canoeist Ekaitz Saies, representing the group of athletes.
In 2011, a total of 42 athletes (27 men, 15 women) were included in the BAT Basque Team program and of them 29 in Olympic disciplines, 9 in non-Olympic and four Paralympic disciplines.
Last year was good for the results with the capture of three world titles, those of Eunate Agirre (bodyboard), Juan José Aranburu (shooting) and Ekaitz Saies (canoeing), in addition to four third positions in different world championships.
During the event it was mentioned that there are now four Olympic places achieved by Basque athletes. Ainhoa Murua in triathlon, Juan José Aranburu and Pablo Carrera in shooting and the walker Mikel Odriozola.
“And we are waiting for the outcome of the Volvo Ocean, because the sailors Iker Martínez and Xabier Fernández could be present at the Olympic Games with the possibility of achieving their third consecutive medal,” said Patxi Mutiloa, referring to team sports. He commented on the likely outstanding Basque participation if the men's and women's handball teams manage to qualify.
“Likewise, if women's hockey is in London, we will add several Olympic players and we are waiting for the full recovery of the fighter Maider Unda,” concluded Mutiloa.
Regarding the economic participation in BAT Basque Team in 2012, it was said that the Basque Government's contribution will decrease by 5 percent, estimated at 1.250.000 euros and another 550.000 coming from private sponsorship.
Source: abc.es
