EJ OBIENA bared he has been battling "physical problems" in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics but remains confident about his chances to compete at the highest level possible.
In a post on Facebook, Obiena revealed the months before the Olympics has been challenging as he's been experiencing physical issues since April, although he didn't go into detail.
Due to his situation, Obiena said he was forced to stop training at some point to undergo "a variety of medical procedures."
"If you had asked me a year ago, how I would envision the 'perfect' Olympic preparation, well it certainly wouldn’t be what has transpired," Obiena wrote.
"It has been what can only be termed a bumpy road (for) me this season. Despite my best efforts at conditioning, fitness and discipline, I have been battling with various physical problems since April."
Obiena admitted it has been a disappointment on his part that he has been dealing with the physical problem with a few months to go before the Olympics.
"I know and fully understand this can happen to athletes training at such intensity and no complaints…but why now!?!? This has meant constant stops and stitching training and competition together with my team as well as we could," he shared.
"I have undergone in past months, weeks and days a variety of medical procedures, to hopefully give myself the best shot at the Olympic Games."
Nonetheless, Obiena expressed confidence about being at his best come the Olympics even through the recent adversity, in far less ideal conditions.
"Am I feeling confident with my preparation? Well, definitely not as much as I would like. Am I doing the best I can each day? Yes and most definitely yes. Not what I wanted but we’re still standing and I still have a few more days to prepare and sharpen," Obiena continued.
"I know these things happen. All athletes at an Olympic level deal with such adversities. I know not everything is in my control. I am an optimist by-nature. Can I perform at the highest level? YES, I BELIEVE I CAN!," he added.
"I am a proud Filipino and that means I am resilient and have weathered far worse situations. I promise you all I will give not 99 percent but all 100 percent."
Big expectations
Obiena enters the Olympics as the No. 2-ranked pole vaulter in the world behind Mondo Duplantis, a heavy favorite to win the gold medal in Paris.
The 28-year-old will look to replicate or even surpass his personal best of 6.00 meters he set in Budapest in August 2023 in the World Athletics Championships.
Obiena's season best in 2024 is 5.97 during the sixth Irena Szewinska Memorial conpetition at the Zdzisław Krzyszkowiak Stadium in Bydgoszcz, Poland last June.
His last meet before the Paris Olympics was the Meeting de Paris, a Wanda Diamond League stop where he cleared 5.75 meters earlier this month.
The Olympic pole vault competition begins with the qualification on August 3, 10:10 a.m. Paris time (August 3, 4:10 p.m. Philippine standard time) at the Stade de Paris.
The final is pegged on August 5, 7 p.m. Paris time (August 6, 1 a.m. Philippine standard time).
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