Venezuela's archers hope to be present in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games despite the stiff competition in qualifying events, Ernesto Stein, the director of the Venezuelan Archery Federation, said in a Monday statement.

"Qualification is direct, so there are possibilities for us, because those who have already qualified are not fighting for a place. That meant we can get a place on the winners' podium and get a ticket to Beijing," he said.

Venezuela's archers can get a place in Beijing with a gold or silver medal in any qualifying competition, while only a first place in the Pan-American Games could have given a place.

There are four such competitions in coming months: the Brazil World Cup and competitions in the United States, Germany and Beijing.

Stein said he had also asked the International Olympic Committee to give Venezuela two places in Beijing.

"I have already done the paperwork for the two athletes but I will have to wait until next year when the committee with take the decision based on the places available and other requests from nations who are interested," said Stein.

Venezuela competed in the 2004 Athens Olympics with Fracis Gorrin, who had previously won gold in the 2003 Pan-American Games and in the 2000 Olympic Games. Venezuela's Felipe Beuvrin and Maria Gabriela Franco also participated, but none won medals.

(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2007)