BY REY C. LACHICA
PARIS — Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino was on cloud nine once again as his template for Olympic success was further validated with the golden triumph of gymnast Carlos Yulo.
“Caloy has again proven that a Filipino can win in the Olympics with the right ingredients and formula and through the proper process,” said Tolentino on Sunday, Aug. 4, a day after Yulo became the country’s second gold medal winner.
“Gone are the anecdotal ways of training athletes for the global stage,” he said. “Today, you have a platoon of coaches on your team, plus years on the production line,” said a beaming Tolentino.
Under Tolentino’s watch, the country finally won its first Olympic gold when weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz triumphed in the Covid-delayed Tokyo Games in record fashion.
Under the formula, Diaz enjoyed having a head coach, an assistant coach, a strength and conditioning coach, nutritionist, physiotherapist and psychologist.
From an innocent wildcard in Beijing 2008, Diaz had to endure a “No Lift” in London 2012 before her star started to shine.
It was in Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016 saw the meteoric rise of Diaz after winning a silver medal.
“Caloy, basically, went through all of that, and both Caloy and Hidilyn have the scars of battle in numerous international competitions,” Tolentino said. “This is the tried and tested formula for Olympic success.”
Though Yulo had long separated with his original Japanese coach Munehiro Kugimaya, he got almost everything he wanted during training in the lead up to the Paris Olympics – thanks to Philippine Sports Commission.
Meantime, PSC Chairman Dicky Bachmann said Yulo’s victory was just the start of the country’s quest to write another Olympic history.
Bachmann also added that Yulo’s victory was a product of a collective effort of everyone who loves sports.
“This is the fruit of everyone’s support and with his win, it has made the collective effort of everyone involved really special. The goal since all our athletes qualified for Paris 2024 is to continue the success from the past. “
“Congratulations to Carlos Yulo and congratulations to our country! Tuloy ang tagumpay!,” said Bachmann.
