Timor's Xavier does it both on and off track<\/p>\n
Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Hanoi<\/p>\n
Timor Leste's Xavier Do Rego was exhausted when he finished the
\nmen's marathon inside My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi on Friday.<\/p>\n
Xavier, as he prefers to be called, came third last, meaning
\nthe Timor Leste contingent is yet to win a medal in its first
\nturnout at the SEA Games, a biennial sporting showcase in the
\nSoutheast Asian region.<\/p>\n
Despite the result, Xavier was far from displeased with his
\nperformance.<\/p>\n
Being aware of the tough opposition from other participants,
\nhe said he had not come to win a medal.<\/p>\n
\"I have come to gain experience. I have been looking to
\nimprove my own mark,\" Xavier said.<\/p>\n
Xavier shrugged off financial strains to register a time of
\n2:34:50 to break his best of 2:41 he set during the Asian Games
\n2002 in Busan, South Korea. \"I feel satisfied because I have been
\nable to improve my record.\"<\/p>\n
For the runner who had been training for only one month, the
\nperformance proved Xavier's ability to rise to the challenge.<\/p>\n
The achievement is greater when one considers that Xavier is
\nbroke.<\/p>\n
With only US$5 in his pocket when he arrived, Xavier said he
\nhad already spent it.<\/p>\n
\"I bought soap, an orange, and other things. I have no more
\nmoney. When I complained to the delegation head, he said 'Where
\ndo you think we can get more money from?',\" Xavier said.<\/p>\n
Xavier, who splits his time between training and construction
\nwork, said he was used to hardship as he was not funded to train.<\/p>\n
The team, comprising 12 athletes, was invited to participate
\nby the organizing committee, who paid for the team's flights and
\naccommodation.<\/p>\n
Led by chef-de-mission Joao Carascalao, the squad competed in
\nkarate, tae kwon do, boxing, tennis, weight lifting and the
\nmarathon.<\/p>\n
Like Xavier, Aquelino Manuel Da Costa did not appear to be too
\nconcerned with his unsuccessful attempt in the karate
\ncompetition.<\/p>\n
\"This is the first time we have participated in the SEA Games.
\nWe are not dreaming of victory,\" said Da Costa, who was
\neliminated in the first round of the men's 60kg category.<\/p>\n
Xavier and Da Costa were hopeful that they would be able to
\nimprove next season.<\/p>\n
Like what most athletes dream of, Xavier had set his sights on
\nthe 2004 Olympics, which has set the marathon qualifying time at
\n2:36:00.<\/p>\n
\"The selection for the team will be next February,\" he said,
\nwhile calling on the Timor Leste sports authority to pay more
\nattention to the athletes' needs.<\/p>",
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