By NIKOLE JAVIER
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. honored the exceptional talent of past and present Filipino Olympians who have brought glory to the country in a send-off ceremony on Friday night, June 21, in Intramuros, Manila.
As the country celebrates 100 years of participation in the grandest sporting stage, Marcos highlighted the participation of David Nepomuceno, who started it all and formalized the country’s entry to the Olympiad.
In 1924, Nepomuceno became the first Filipino and Southeast Asian to compete in the Olympics which was also held in Paris — a fitting look back on how both the Games and the Philippines’ involvement in it have immensely improved in the last century.
“A world-class sprinter during his time, David Nepomuceno was a beacon of potential and promise. He embarked on a journey that not only defined his life, but also blazed a trail for future Filipino athletes. He laid the groundwork for these athletes who are going now. He demonstrated that our nation can stand tall on the global stage when it comes to sports,” said Marcos.
“Fast forward now to 100 years later, we gathered to perpetuate the legacy of that determination and excellence that Philippine athletes have bravely demonstrated all throughout the years,” he continued.
“More than a sendoff, this is an opportune time to get inspiration from the countless athletes who have carried our flag with pride throughout the years.”
From a quiet presence in the Olympics to sending a total of 15 athletes, Marcos expressed his great pride to the qualified participants who went through lengths and overcame adversities to secure a spot in the quadrennial competition.
Nine of the 15 athletes were present in the send-off, while the six others are competing and training overseas. The number is likely to increase – probably by 8 to 10 more – at the close of the qualifying window on June 30.
World No. 2 pole vaulter EJ Obiena became the first Filipino bet to qualify for Paris in a tournament last year, with gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, Levi Ruivivar and Emma Malabuyo joining him in the elite list.
But it will be boxers Aira Villegas, Nesthy Petecio, Hergie Bacyadan, Eumir Marcial and Carlo Paalam who carry the hopes of the country for another potential gold medal following Petecio and Paalam’s silver finishes, and Marcial’s bronze-medal feat in the previous edition in Tokyo three years ago.
Lifters Vanessa Sarno, John Ceniza and Elreen Ando also carried the weight of following up Hidilyn Diaz’s historic gold-medal feat, while rower Joanie Delgaco is set to take her shot at a medal after making history as the first Filipina to book a place in the Games.
Despite failing to qualify for her fifth straight Olympic appearance last April, it did not escape Marcos to extend his deep appreciation to Diaz, whose legacy will remain forever as she will go down as the Philippines’ greatest weightlifter of all time after bringing the country its first Olympic gold medal during the Tokyo Games.
“Imagine the scene at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics: Hidilyn Diaz stands before the barbel, the weight of history resting on her shoulders, and I see it hoisted above her head. She lifted the hopes of the entire nation, her victory, the first Olympic gold medal for the Philippines resonated across the entire country. A beacon of what can be achieved with perseverance and unwavering faith,” said Marcos.
“Their successes were not personal victories, or only for themselves, they were for every single Filipino especially for young Filipinos who dared to dream of reaching such great heights, who dared to believe that they could achieve what could have been considered as impossible,” he added.
“So these athletes that we are sending off to this year’s Olympics embody that Filipino spirit. A spirit that knows no bounds, thrives on adversity, and dares to break any barriers put before them,” said Marcos.
As he led the send-off, Marcos also mentioned that the government has granted full monetary support to the Filipino participants through the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) ever since they began their preparations for the biggest sporting showpiece.
