By REY C. LACHICA
PARIS – So far, so good.
Halfway through the Paris Olympics, the Philippines remains on track to matching, if not bettering its successful run in the Covid-delayed Tokyo Games three years ago.
“We are still in a strong position to duplicate our performance in the Tokyo Games,” said Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino. “Hoping we could win our first medal on Saturday (Aug. 3).”
The Tokyo Games may go down in the country’s sporting history as the most productive by a Philippine contingent bar none, with weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz winning the country’s first Olympic medal.
In all, the country brought home four medals – counting the silver medals of Nesthy Petecio and Carlio Paalam, and the bronze of another boxer in Eumir Marcial.
Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Dickie Bachmann also expressed confidence it would come soon – either on Saturday, Aug 3, or in the next five days.
“Yes I believe so, but whatever happens, the PSC is always there to support our national athletes,” said Bachmann.
Bachmann is happy that Paalam and Petecio are a win shy of reaching the medal round, and so is rookie Aira Villegas who caught the attention of jaded observers with her impressive performance the past two matches.
Still to compete are golfers Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina and weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, Elreen Ando and John Febuar Ceniza.
Petecio was equally brilliant in her win over the third-seeded Frenchwoman Amina Zidani in their 57kg showdown.
Pole vaulter EJ Obiena will have little problem advancing to the finals on Monday, Aug. 5 being ranked No. 2 in the world.
Though Obiena is dealing with “physical problems,” athletics boss Terry Capistrano is convinced the reigning Asian Games champion can manage it well, hopefully advance to the finals on Friday.
And there is gymnast ace Carlos Yulo.
The two-time world champion is expected to bounce back with all his might in the floor exercise after finishing a dismal12th place in the all-around on Thursday.
The final is ongoing at presstime with Yulo a solid pick to land in the “Magic 3” on the strength of his second place in the prelims.
His showdown with Fil-British friend Jake Jarman is likely to add more color to their rivalry.
If Yulo does well in his pet event, the proud son of Manila is also likely to figure prominently in the vault where he was a world champion two years ago.
Meantime, hurdlers Lauren Hoffman and John Cabang-Tolentino try their luck on Sunday, Aug. 4, in their respective events at the imposing Stade de France.
Hoffman, a daughter of Filipina, vies in the women’s 400m hurdles, while Tolentino in the men’s 110m hurdles.
Along with Obiena, they are out to end an 88-year medal drought in athletics.
Interestingly, the last time to win an athletics medal was also a hurdler in the late Miguel White – doing it in the Berlin Games in 1936.
High jumper Simeon Toribio was the other Filipino who tasted success in the quadrennial spectacle, also winning a bronze in the LA Games.
Up against the veritable who’s who in their respective events, Tolentino and Hoffman need to put up extraordinary efforts to have better chances.
