Marcos inspires Philippines bets in Paris

MANILA, Philippines — While delivering his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) yesterday, President Marcos served his duty as “chief cheerleader” of the Philippine athletes to the fast-approaching Paris Olympics.

About 36 minutes into his speech that lasted one hour and 21 minutes, Marcos made special mention of the 22-strong Olympians set for battle beginning this weekend as well as the six delegates to the Paralympics slated for late August also in the French capital.

“As we speak, 28 of our finest athletes are competing in Paris now for the glory of the Philippines,” the Chief Executive said to applause and cheers from legislators and dignitaries at the Batasang Pambansa.

“Let us wish them well and the best of luck,” he added.

Marcos’ one-minute shoutout to the Olympians and grassroots sports should serve Team Philippines well as it tries to surpass the milestone one-gold, two-silver, one-bronze harvest the previous batch led by weightlifting golden girl Hidilyn Diaz carved out in the pandemic-delayed Games in 2021 in Tokyo.

“Thank you, PBBM, for your kind wishes for the athletes at the Olympics. It’s definitely inspiring and it’s an extreme boost to the morale not only to our athletes competing in Paris, but to the entire Philippine sports,” said a grateful Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.

“This may be exaggerated but the President putting emphasis on sports in a very important event in his administration – something that’s never been done by past Presidents in memory – gives us the goose bumps,” added Tolentino, who, as POC head, personally suggested to Malacañang that the President include the sports agenda in report to the Filipinos.

The Paris Games will open Friday, and three Philippine aces quickly hit the battlefield the following day – lady rower Joanie Delgaco (women’s single sculls) and two hot prospects, Tokyo Olympiad bronze-winning boxer Eumir Marcial (men’s 80kg class) and two-time world champion gymnast Carlos Yulo (men’s individual all round).

“We are very grateful to the President for showing his love and concern for sports,” the Tagaytay City mayor said. “And we, at the POC and Philippine sports as a whole, continuously thank his administration for relentlessly supporting sports through his financial support.”

To continue breeding more Olympic and sports achievers, Marcos likewise gave an assurance that the Palarong Pambansa program will carry on.

“Our grassroots and sports for all programs are back in the mainstream, catering to Filipinos of all ages,” he said.

“Nailunsad na naman muli ang taunang Palarong Pambansa matapos ang tatlong taong pagkakatigil nito dahil sa pandemya. Binabati natin ang Marikina at Cebu (hosts of the last two Palaro) at ang Kagawaran ng Edukasyon sa kanila matagumpay na pagtatanghal sa palarong ito.”

Marcos said the Palaro plays a big-role in his administration’s “health-enhancing” initiatives.

“Through this, we will also set forth our youth on the same well-established path that has taken some of our national champions and renowned athletes to sporting greatness,” he said.