Gold, glory in mind

MANILA, Philippines —  It’s all systems go for Team Philippines bound for the Paris Olympics set July 26 to Aug. 11, determined to chase gold and glory.

Led by a slew of boxers including flag bearers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Palaam, the Filipino bets assure their readiness, faith and pride to slug it out against the best athletes on Earth.

Tonight, no less than President Marcos will be with them in a sendoff ceremony at the Marble Hall of the Ayuntamiento de Manila in Intramuros on the eve of their departure for France for a month-long training camp in the city of Metz.

Government and private backers are solidly behind the Filipino athletes who will try to surpass the country’s 1-2-1 gold-silver-bronze haul in Tokyo in 2021.

Visited by the boxers in the PLDT headquarters, ABAP chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan expressed great optimism on their quest.

“We have high hopes for our boxers, and we will continue supporting their quest for glory in this year’s Olympics. We wish them all the best as they fight for flag and country during the Paris 2024,” said Pangilinan.

“We are grateful for the support of MVP to the development of boxing in the Philippines by supporting our organization and athletes. Our boxers are ready to show their 100 percent as they strive for gold on the Olympic stage,” said ABAP chairman Ricky Vargas.

Pangilinan, through the MVP Sports Foundation (MVPSF), welcomed the seasoned Olympian boxers in Petecio and Paalam as well as first-timers Aira Villegas and Hergie Bacyadan at the PLDT headquarters in Makati with vote of confidence and belief in their Olympic journey.

Eumir Marcial, bronze medalist last Olympics, wasn’t able to attend due to his ongoing training camp abroad. The team presented a token of appreciation to Pangilinan, joined by Vargas, ABAP president Roberto Puno, secretary-general Marcus Manalo, MVPSF president Al Panlilio, and executive director Jude Turcuato.

“Lahat po kaming mga atleta, ine-aim ‘yung gintong medalya. Sobrang tagal na nating walang gold sa boxing,” said Petecio in the succeeding sendoff party hosted by the Philippine Sports Commission and Allianz PNB Life at the nearby Makati Diamond Residences.

“Gagawin po namin ‘yung best namin.  Ibubuhos po namin lahat,” said Paalam in the event headlined by PSC chairman Richard Bachmann and Allianz PNB Life CEO and president Joseph Gross with attendance from Olympian weightlifters and paralympians as well.