Indonesia counts on swimmers for more berths in Olympics

JAKARTA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- After the national volleyball team's bid to make the Beijing Olympics flopped as expected, Indonesia is turning to the swimming pool in its last hope to send more athletes to the Games.

Four male swimmers -- Donny Budiarto, Billy Arfianto, Andi Wibowo and Heri Yudianto -- are competing in the Singapore Open running from June 4 to 8.

The manager of the national swimming team, Hartadi, said he was optimistic the team would be able to add at least one ticket to the Games through either Billy or Andi.

Billy is competing in the 200-meter butterfly and Andi in the 100-meter breaststroke. Heri Yudianto, who is competing in the 100breaststroke, is unlikely to qualify, while Donny, who specializes in the 200 butterfly, has already secured his Olympic place along with Afi Noviandri, who is absent from the Singapore event.

Hartadi said Billy and Andi's finishing times were close to the Olympic benchmark.

"Billy only needs two seconds to pass the required limit of two minutes and 18 seconds, while Andi's best time is 55.3 seconds. The limit is 54.7 seconds," he was quoted Thursday by major newspaper The Jakarta Post as saying.

The Singapore Open was the last chance for Indonesian swimmers to secure a place in the Games.

Indonesia already has 23 athletes attending the quadrennial global event, including 11 shuttlers, five weightlifters, two runners, two archers, one windsurfer and two swimmers.