CHICAGO - Restrained by so many limitations, the Olympics used to be just an exercise of participation for a country that endured a 97-year gold medal drought.
But thanks to Hidilyn Diaz, that dry spell finally ended at the 2021 Tokyo Games where she literally lifted the Philippines to heights many of us doubted we would ever achieve.
Three years later, as the Olympics aligns back to its regular quadrennial schedule following a pandemic interruption, the mining for sports glory continues.
One nation. Twenty-two athletes. And the hopes and aspirations of 119 million Filipinos.
Winning another gold medal is no longer a fantasy we once deemed it.
22-MAN STRONG.
Although we only have a relatively micro athlete contingent compared to 592 from the United States, 573 from host France, 460 from Australia, 404 from Japan and 388 from China, our 20 warriors are the best at what they do,
E.J. Obiena is ranked the No. 2 pole vaulter in the world. He is literally a heartbeat away from a gold medal in the City of Light.
As shown by his previous international triumphs, Carlos Yulo isn't intimidated by the bright lights at this stage. He has the tools and he only has to put it together in a magnificent two-week showcase.
Our slew of weightlifters, swimmers, boxers, rowers, gymnasts, golfers, plus a fencer in Sam Catantan, are among the thousands of athletes from 206 countries that will compete in a total of 329 events from 32 different sports disciplines.
Tall odds indeed but equaling or perhaps surpassing Tokyo's one gold, two silvers and one bronze medal finish is doable.
BETTER-EQUIPPED.
Not just saying that to be a blind homer. Saying that because Philippine sports has made tremendous strides since its maiden appearance in the 1924 Paris Games.
Not only are our athletes well-funded and highly incentivized, they also now have so many resources at their disposal to include access to world-class coaches and training overseas.
I witnessed this first hand when I visited the camp of boxer Eumir Marcial in Las Vegas last year. Under the guidance of MP president Sean Gibbons, Marcial trained with an American coach while doing brutal daily sessions at the DLX gym.
Thanks to the tireless work of the ABAP, our other boxers - Aira Villegas, Hergie Bacyadan, Carlo Paalam and Neshy Petecio - have likewise been exposed to elite training outside our borders.
It's all systems go.
Here's wishing our athletes the best.
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