A double gold drama

The Philippines, except for the US-initiated boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics, had participated in every edition of the Games since 1924, also in Paris.  At the Paris 2024, the country, represented by 22 athletes, is among the 184 nations participating in the quadrennial sporting event.   We sent 22 athletes, our largest delegation since Barcelona 1992.

Most did not make podium finishes but they all gave their best shot competing against the best in the world.  Victory had been elusive and was emotionally draining.  They had proudly worn the Philippine colors and declared to all that this island nation’s athletes can contend in the greatest global sporting event.

Among the ASEAN nations, only PH, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia medaled in the Games.  As of this writing, we have two golds and two bronzes, INA also has 2 golds and a bronze, THA has a gold, 3 silvers and 2 bronzes, MAS have 2 bronzes.

I had said this before and I’ll be saying this again.

The Olympics had clearly defined where and which sporting disciplines that we have very strong chances of podium finishes.  These disciplines involve individual athletes that with all-out support, we can medal in international competitions that could serve as qualifying tournaments for the Olympics.

Personally, the jump in the FIBA rankings does not justify pouring in several millions of pesos more for our men’s national basketball team.  Don’t get me wrong.  I’m a big basketball fan but I would rather have those millions invested by stakeholders to our future Olympic athletes’ preparation and training than pamper already the highly paid professional basketball players.  There would never be a need to have a naturalized player to swim, do floor exercises, jump over a high bar with a pole, to box, grapple or lift weights if we set out goals to these events.

Except for the institutionalized incentives given by the government to Olympians, it would be nice for private entities who had poured cash incentives to our medalists to make it a yearly commitment for grassroots developments instead of doing it only when someone makes it to the podium every four years and all those lifetime supply of whatever.

More focus should be given to gymnastics as our natural built are best suited to the sport.  Carlos Yulo will be the template for success with his double gold performance.

But that double gold had been muddled by a drama blown out of hand thru social media and had gotten quite nasty.  Family problems should never be broadcasted or heard via press conference, and at the same time seeking respect for privacy.  Really?

We have ample time to prepare for Los Angeles 2028 and here’s looking to more Olympic medals to come.