Cape Verde is now certain to be represented at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. The confirmation came last night: Vânia Monteiro will compete for Cape Verde in rhythmic gymnastics during the event, which runs from August 8 to 24.

The athletes participation comes as a result of a Wild Card attributed by the Olympic Solidarity Committee and has been confirmed to the Cape Verdean Olympic Committee.

Even so, the Cape Verdean Olympic Committee is hoping for more. In early April, Committee president Franklin Palma will travel to Beijing, where he hopes to obtain two athletics slots - one for marathon runner Nelson Cruz, a gold-medal winner in the first edition of the Lusophone Games in Macau, and the other for Lenira Santos, in the 200- and 400-meter sprints.

"In addition to these athletes technical qualification, the Cape Verdean Olympic Committee is considering the visibility provided by these two modalities. A marathon lasts, on average, two hours, and as long as the athlete is running, he is being seen. This visibility is very important for sports in Cape Verde," he explained.

Meanwhile, 21-year-old Vânia Monteiro, who is currently attending university in Brazil, is confirmed for the Beijing Games. Monteiro represented Cape Verde in the 2004 Olympic Games as well.