MANILA — The Philippines’ 22-member delegation is ready to make the nation proud at the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
The Filipino Olympians, competing in athletics, boxing, fencing, golf, gymnastics, judo, rowing, swimming, and weightlifting, are currently training at the Philippines’ camp in Metz, France.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino shared that the athletes are in the final stages of their preparations in the country’s first-ever combined training camp.
“We’re all excited. Iba nang level ‘to eh, From training camp, the mood of the athletes, talagang level up lahat.
Even yung support,” stated Tolentino during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum in Manila on Tuesday.
“Our training camp is the first of its kind for the Olympics. They are in France, nearing the peak of their training. They are all together now, and well taken care of. We are just waiting,” he added.
Tolentino highlighted the importance of support staff, saying, “Nag crossover po ‘yung ating mga nutritionists at mga physical therapists, and napaka-importante po nun,” and revealed that athletes, coaches, and officials will have a budget of €100 per day during the Paris Games.
He noted that they intended to implement a similar program for the Tokyo Olympics but were unable to due to COVID-19 restrictions. “Actually, it was my plan nung sa Tokyo. Kaso hindi allowed dahil sa bubble and sa pandemic,” he said.
With the plan now in full swing and the Philippines celebrating its 100th anniversary of joining the quadrennial games, Tolentino is confident the country will secure more medals than the four won in Tokyo.
“Ang pinaka magandang nakikita ko, conservatively and God-willing, we will surpass the Tokyo record,” he said.
“Definitely, we will surpass the Tokyo record. Bahala na kayo kung one gold, two golds, three golds, basta ma su-surpass natin. All medals.
With our preparation, with the condition of our athletes, nag level-up na yung mga training at atleta natin. Sigurado yun, mag de-deliver yung mga atleta natin,” Tolentino added.
Tolentino is counting on athletes like Carlos Yulo, Carlo Paalam, Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, Hergie Bacyadan, and Aira Villegas to deliver medals for the Philippines. “Of course, nandiyan yung gymnastics, boxing,” he said. “And baka may surprises pa like rowing and weightlifting.”
Tolentino also emphasized the success of the combined training camp and its potential for future Olympic campaigns.
“Maganda po ang resulta ng mga ginawa training camps. Marami pong makukuhang leksyon, at ito po yung ating magiging template sa mga susunod pang events,” he said.
Regarding the deployment of athletes to the Olympic Village, Tolentino mentioned, “We’re working on it. Parang pinayagan na yung gymnastics at boxing na pumasok ng maaga.
Pero yung weightlifting and maybe some of the athletics, mga August pa, so mag e-extend sila sa Metz.”