Myanmar archer chosen to compete in 2008 Beijing Olympics

YANGON, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar male archer Nay Myo Aung has been chosen by the Tripartite Commission (TC) to take part in the forthcoming 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in China in August, local media reported on Friday.

Nay Myo Aung is the first athlete picking out by the commission among 16 athletes who have been enlisted by Myanmar to the Tripartite Commission, which comprises the International Olympic Committee (IOC), National Olympic Committees of IOC member countries and international sports federations, for 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Myanmar Times quoted Myanmar Olympic Committee Joint Secretary U Khin Maung Lwin as saying.

For every member countries and regions of IOC to have chance to compete in the Olympic Games, the Tripartite Commission chooses athletes to compete in the world sports event although they are not qualified, the weekly said.

Although there are 205 member countries and regions in IOC, the Tripartite Commission has the right to choose only 90 athletes, and there are over 1,100 proposals of athletes from 158 countries and regions submitted to the TC, it said, adding that Myanmar will also compete in swimming and track and field events in the Beijing Olympic Games as both of the sports are not required for qualifiers, Kyaw Zin in swimming and Lae Lae Win and Soe Min Thu in track and field.

Two Myanmar athletes competed in two sports event in 2004 Athen Olympic Games in Greece, one in female archery and the other in female weightlifting.