Philippines Offers $220,000 for First Gold

An official says the Philippine government and the private sector are offering $220,000 to any athlete who brings home the country's first-ever Olympic gold medal.

The Philippines has not won an Olympic gold since its first games, at Paris in 1924. The most recent medal of any color was silver in boxing in Atlanta in 1996.

''This is an incentive. The first gold winner will get the money,'' said Philippine Olympic Committee spokesman Joey Romasanta on Friday.

The government pledged $116,000 and the rest came from donations from the private sector, Romasanta said.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported other donors included tycoon Lucio Tan, Microsoft Philippines Inc. and boxer Manny Pacquiao, who in June won the WBC lightweight title.

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On the Net:

Philippine Olympic Committee: http://www.olympic.ph/