Thai Twins Earn Slot to Rio
Thailand's top duo Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana were awarded the last minute entry to the Olympic Games in Brazil following the withdrawal of former world No 1 Roger Federer of Switzerland.
The twin brothers were confirmed of their entry into the Olympiad on Saturday morning by the International Tennis Federation. They will replace Federer and Stan Wawrinka in the 32-maindraw men's doubles competition which starts on August 6.
It will be their first participation in the Games. Elder brother Sonchat said he had been waiting for this opportunity all his life.
"This is by far the greatest tournament in my career. Although I have been playing 16 Grand Slams, the Olympics is the most important in my view and I always want to be part of it since I was a boy," said the 54 year-old Sonchat.
Sanchai said: "After we missed the chance in the 2008 Olympics when our rankings were higher (than now), we gave up of hope for entering the Games. Now it took us by surprise. Though we have limited time to prepare, we will give our best."
The pair will leave Bangkok on Monday. That means a total of 34 athletes from 17 sports will represent the Kingdom in Rio de Janeiro.
