Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday raised the Olympic incentive to 15 million pesos (US$340,909) for any Filipino athlete who gets a gold medal in Beijing.

Gracing part of the 37-member Beijing-bound Philippine Olympic delegation to Beijing in the presidential palace for a send-off party, Arroyo said the government has decided to set aside an additional 4.5 million pesos (US$102,272) as Olympic bonus to lure the country's first Olympic gold.

According to the country's Incentives Act, the government was set to give a 5-million-peso reward for an Olympic gold winner, 2.5 million pesos for a silver medalist and 1 million for a bronze.

However, individuals, groups, and companies have promised a combined sum of 10.5 million pesos for the gold medalist in the Beijing Games.

Wearing the Philippine Olympic delegation uniform herself, a cheering Arroyo said she wished the extra bonus would spur the athletes to bring out their potential to clinch a much-expected honour for the country.

The Philippine Olympic Committee First Vice-President Monico Puentevella said the incentive promise of 15 million pesos is the "biggest ever" in Philippine history and he felt very happy about the athletes getting this grand inspiration.

The Philippines has not yet won an Olympic gold during its participation in the Games since 1924. The last time the Philippines got a medal was in 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

The country's 15 athletes to Beijing will compete in boxing, taekwondo, shooting, archery, diving, swimming, athletics and weight-lifting. Boxer Harry Tanamor and taekwondist Mary Antoinette Rivero are considered the country's best chances to bag a gold in Beijing.

Arroyo is also invited to attend the opening ceremony of the Games on August 8.

Arroyo told Chinese Ambassador Song Tao, who attended the send-off party, that she is expecting to join the heads of the states in the opening and she wishes Beijing to host a successful Games.

(Xinhua News Agency August 1, 2008)