Freestyling to Beijing : Tico swimmer Mario Montoya at a meeting Friday in which Costa Rican athletes were awarded scholarships to attend the Summer Olympic Games. Montoya is poised to participate in the 200-meter freestyle.

Hannah Rexroth | Tico Times

Six Costa Ricans are headed to Beijing to represent Costa Rica in the Summer Olympics, but other hopefuls could still qualify within the next month, according to the National Olympic Committee (CON).

The athletes represent a wide range of sports. Swimmer Mario Montoya will participate in the 200-meter freestyle, Nery Brenes in the 400-meter dash, Allan Segura in the 20-kilometer walk, Kristopher Moitland in Taekwondo's heavy-weight category, Federico Ramírez in mountain biking and Henry Raabe in road cycling.

The committee estimated that 10 to 12 athletes would qualify for the Beijing Games, which run Aug. 8-24. Other Olympic aspirants could still make the grade over the next month.

Josabeth Azofeifa, chief spokeswoman for CON, said the Pan-American Sports Organization has offered 25 million colones (about $50,000) worth of scholarships to help cover Costa Rican athletes' costs.

But as the athletes are perfect their strokes and buff their running shoes, CON's executive committee is trying to settle internal politics.