By Brian Jules Campued
From the 19-strong contingent in the last 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Philippines continues to break the ceiling as the country sees its biggest delegation yet in the world’s foremost sports competition. With the current 22 valiant bets, these Filipino athletes are more than ready to bring home medals and etch their respective marks in Philippine sports history.
Following an impressive performance and medal haul in Tokyo 2020—1 gold, 2 silvers, 1 bronze—this edition’s roster is setting their hopes high in following fellow compatriot, gold-medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo’s footsteps and clinching the once-elusive gold.
However, merely having big dreams and strong dedication in their field will not take them to the mountain’s peak. Proper support from the government and other stakeholders are also vital in helping athletes harness their full potential by providing their needs, such as training, equipment, as well as financial and medical expenses.
That’s why the administration has been doing its utmost best in addressing the budget gaps and other woes hindering the athletes’ success in world sporting events.
According to Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president and Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, one of the actions they have taken with regard to athletes’ welfare is partnering with a local telecom company to hold a month-long training camp for the athletes in Metz, France ahead of the July 26 start of Paris Olympics.
“We are ready. This is the first time that the Philippine Olympic delegates will be having a training camp before the Olympics,” Tolentino said, adding that the training camp provides complete equipment and access to facilities to the athletes.
The first batch of Filipino Olympians departed for France last June 21 where President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in a speech during the send-off ceremony, directed concerned agencies to provide additional funding to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann said the P52-million allocated budget to the agency is being utilized to cover the Philippine representatives’ preparation, training, participation, airfare, luggage, and uniforms, among other things.
A mix of old and new faces, the nation’s best of the best who will compete in the global stage in several sports are:
- Boxing
- Carlo Paalam
- Eumir Marcial
- Aira Villegas
- Nesthy Petecio
- Hergie Bacyadan
- Artistic gymnastics
- Carlos Yulo
- Aleah Finnegan
- Levi Ruivivar
- Emma Malabuyo
- Athletics
- Ernest John Obiena
- Lauren Hoffman
- John Cabang Tolentino
- Weightlifting
- John Ceniza
- Elreen Ando
- Vanessa Sarno
- Golf
- Bianca Pagdanganan
- Dottie Ardina
- Swimming
- Jarod Hatch
- Kayla Sanchez
- Fencing
- Samantha Catantan
- Judo
- Kiyomi Watanabe
- Rowing
- Joanie Delgaco
While it is true that the bar has been set higher for 2024, with the goal to surpass or at least replicate the country’s medal haul in 2020, the athletes also hope to inspire more people from the new generation to aspire and be the best in the world.
“Anytime you wear the Philippine flag, there’s a different energy into it. ‘Cause you’re not just representing yourself, you’re representing the country, you’re representing the 110 million Filipinos all over the world,” athletics Olympian Ernest John Obiena said.
More than the chase for gold, equally important is the path the athletes take to achieve their dreams. Behind the jumps, spins, punches, or sprints, may the nation witness history unfold in Paris 2024 and know what our champions’ journey means in their relentless quest for Olympic glory.
Join us in a four-part Olympics primer for the preparation of our Filipino athletes. Catch “Road to Paris: The PTV Olympics Primer” every Saturday at 4:30 p.m. only here at your Pambansang TV.
Watch the first episode below: