The number of Venezuelan athletes to compete in the Beijing Olympics rose to 99, President of the Venezuelan Olympic Committee (COV) Eduardo Alvarez announced Monday.

Alvarez made the announcement after celebrating the triumph of Gabriel Rodriguez and Jose Ramos who won the gold medal at the 500 meters trial at the Preolympic of Boating in Canada, which gave them the pass for Beijing 2008.

"The guys went to six finals and achieved two silver-medals, two gold-medals and the qualifications for the K2 in 500 meters." Alvarez said while distinguishing the feat of the young athletes.

Alvarez also celebrated the classification that wrestler Marcia Andrade got Saturday. Alvarez also informed that other 60 sportsmen have chance of raising the Venezuelan delegation.

There are five more athletics competitions, two on cycling and one on boating where three athletes could celebrate their pass to Olympic Games, among them are Rolando Salas and Erwin Maldonado.

At men's wrestling Venezuela will compete with five athletes in two tournaments and in archery will compete in other event with 10 athletes, Alvarez said.

Alvarez also made reference about pending competitions in triathlon and beach volleyball, which makes 14 events that raises Venezuela's expectations for winning passes to the Olympic Games in Beijing 2008.

(Xinhua News Agency May 20, 2008)