Chavez to PDVSA: We need better athletes!

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez ordered state-run oil firm PDVSA to "open an office of competitive sports" in response to the country’s performance during the Beijing Games. Several athletes thanked Chavez for his support during the leader’s weekly television show, though some in the local media weren’t pleased by the lone bronze medal won in women's taekwondo:

In a recent editorial, Tal Cual newspaper editor Teodoro Petkoff slammed Chavez for touting Venezuela's medal-winning chances ahead of the Olympics while sending an oversized and unprepared delegation to China.

"The megalomaniac thought the increased number of athletes was an achievement," Petkoff wrote. "Someone more careful would know it wasn't sensible sending athletes without winning possibilities."

In other comments made yesterday, Chavez announced a $950 million additional investment for Venezuela’s petrochemical industry and denied that he would eliminate private property.

Image- Union Radio (Dalia Contreras Rivero won Venezuela's only medal in Beijing.)

Sources- AFP, Bloomberg, IHT, Reuters UK