No excuses for Obiena after Berlin disappointment

MANILA, Philippines – Following a disappointing finish in the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow a couple of days ago, EJ Obiena underscored the need to be more prepared as the 2024 Paris Olympics draws near.

The Filipino pole vaulter finished ninth in the world indoor meet in Scotland, after back-to-back golden finishes in the Memorial Josip Gasparac in Croatia and the ISTAF Indoor Berlin in Germany.

Obiena told reporters on Tuesday that he is taking full responsibility in his finish.

“I need to be more prepared. If there’s a theme with the indoor season for me, it was a gamble. My outdoor season last year started, ended quite late. This is no excuse for my performance and I take full responsibility in placing ninth,” he said.

“I made my decision. I went to the field and I knew going into the field I could medal and I could win and this is why I decided to take part. Things didn’t go the way I wanted it to go, and there are always variables. If there’s a way to go back in time and actually redo it, I would,” he added.

‘Human side’ showed

Obiena said that “the reality of sports” showed in his ninth-place finish.

“We’re hitting the marks that we believe we should and unfortunately, the human side of me showed two days ago and I was not able to showcase what I believe I could and it’s the reality of sports,” he said.

“I move on and I look forward to the outdoor season and prepare and focus on the main goal which is, again, Paris 2024.”

Despite the setback, the world no. 2 pole vaulter underscored that things are “going the way we planned” ahead of the Olympics.

“I think we’re hitting the right markers at the right time.”

On Tuesday, Obiena was named as a Filipino athlete ambassador of Visa.

He will compete in mid-May next to open his outdoor season.