TWENTY-TWO Filipino athletes will fight for pride and glory in the Paris 2024 Olympics, and this time, the odds are better.
Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino was confident in his forecast that the Filipino delegates would put up a good fight in the City of Lights.
“Definitely, we will deliver. Definitely, we will surpass Tokyo [Olympics],” Tolentino told the press on Tuesday during the Sportswriters Association Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino
“What I know is that we will surpass Tokyo. It depends, one gold, two golds, or three golds; what I know is that we will surpass our previous Tokyo performance. We’re all excited. The mood of the athletes are different this time; they all leveled up. So, I’d like to thank the Philippine Sports Commission and our private partners and the Office of the President,” he added.
Four years after the glorious and momentous feat of Hidilyn Diaz’s first gold for the country and the two silvers and bronze of boxers Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam and Eumir Marcial — the Philippines is ready to top its previous performances.
“Actually, we surpassed the number of athletes from the Tokyo Olympics. From 19 to 22. My target was 25 if cycling and skateboarding made it,” Tolentino said.
The Philippines bagged four medals in the Tokyo Games despite the conditions and lack of funding from the respective sports divisions.
What is different this time is Team Philippines is well supported with their training and equipment, coming to the Paris Games.
The Filipino athletes showed relentless perseverance during their training in Metz, France, to be attuned to the weather and to condition themselves.
Be the first to comment