Mikee to Olympians: Make us proud

RIO DE JANEIRO – International Olympic Committee representative to the Philippines Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski can only do so much for the Philippine athletes vying for medals in the Rio Olympics.

Jaworski paid the Pinoy bets a visit at the Athletes Village Monday.

“We are just here to support them,” said Jaworski, who made the rounds of the Village and the Philippine quarters on a sunny afternoon.

Jaworski had just arrived from a strenuous journey from Manila the night before, one that lasted over 24 hours, and took the first available car the morning after to visit the Pinoy athletes.

She faced the athletes, and egged them to give their best.

Jaworski praised them, including boxers Rogen Ladon and Charly Suarez, and weightlifters Nestor Colonia and Hidilyn Diaz, for all the hard work they’ve put in prior to the Games.

“Make our country proud,” Jaworski said.

Four athletes will see action for the Philippines on Aug. 6 – table tennis’ Ian Lariba, swimmer Jessie Khing Lacuna and the two boxers.

It’s not easy to do well here, not in the Olympics, where only the best and finest athletes get to compete once every four years.

Cojuangco, a gold medalist in equestrian during the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, knows how difficult it is to qualify to the Olympics.

“To qualify to the Olympics is already an achievement,” she said.

“That’s why I’m proud of them. Everyone here is competitive and everyone wants to do their best. I hope their preparations for these Olympics are enough,” said Jaworski.

She knows that winning a medal in the Olympics is easier said than done.

To add some pressure to it is the fact that the Philippines has not won any medal since the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.

The long wait will either end or continue here in Rio.

“Of course, we want medals for the Philippines. I want them to win. But there’s anybody who really wants it most, it’s them, the athletes,” said Jaworski.

She said competing in the Olympics is something she failed to achieve even when she was at the peak of her career as an equestrienne.

“It was also my dream,” said Jaworski, who will be back with the Philippine delegation for Tuesday’s formal flag-raising.

“That is why I’m very happy for them, because I was not able to get to join the Olympics. And for that I respect them more,” she said.

“I did not get to the Olympics. They did,” Jaworski said.