BRIEFS: Sports

Panama’s olympic team readies for competition

Levi Cruz/LA PRENSA

national costume: Olympic swimmer Edgar Crespo models the uniform Panama’s athletes will wear at the opening ceremony.1062651

The five Panamanian athletes competing in the Summer Olympics in China received the uniforms that they will wear in the opening ceremonies yesterday.

The delegation includes Irving Saladino, the world champion long jumper expected to win a gold medal in his event. The other athletes are Bayano Kamani in track and field, Cristie Bodden and Edgar Crespo in swimming and Jessika Jiménez in fencing.

The Olympic Games will open on August 8.

The athletes will wear traditional white Panamanian-style shirts called “camisillas” and Panama Jack-style hats in the opening parade of nations.

The swimmers will leave for the games on Aug. 4, while the other athletes will leave on Aug. 6. Crespo said yesterday that he is proud to represent Panama and hopes to improve his times. “I know it's a difficult competition. The best athletes in the world will be there,” he said.