With only 1 day to go before the opening of the Olympic Games in London, Panama unexpectedly added another competitor to the team bringing the total to eight.

The news came as a surprise to the country and to the new addition, swimmer Diego Castillo, who was initially classified under the brand B (invitational), because initially his time was not ruled fast enough in tryouts.

“The truth is that I had already ruled out my presence at the Olympics and had even lowered my training pace,” said 21 year-old, who for nearly a month had lost all hope of going to the games.

The confusing situation, prompted him to deny through Twitter, the “rumor” that the International Swimming Federation (Fina) said he could compete in the 200 meters butterfly.

It took six to seven hours after learning the news for Castillo to make the decision to travel to London, after meeting and consulting with his family and other relatives, he said.

“Confirmed, I will attend the Olympics, just ask for your understanding with the result, as I have dropped my rhythm,” said Castillo’s Twitter message.

The Panamanian swimmer landed in London yesterday, to join the delegation.

The other Panamanian competitors are swimmer, Edgar Crespo, Omar Simmods judoka, Carolena Carstens taekwondo, boxer Juan Huertas and athletics representatives Andrea Ferris, Alonso Edward and Irving Saladino.