PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino said the best is yet to come for Philippine sports following the successful campaign in the Tokyo Olympics.
With eyes on Paris 2024, The POC is determined to have a big follow-up to its 1-2-1 gold-silver-bronze performance in Tokyo, the best output the Philippines has ever had in the Olympics.
“Paris, basta tuluy-tuloy lang tayo lahat ng programa at suporta, hindi man natin matapatan, siguro baka mahigitan pa natin,” said Tolentino.
The Tokyo campaign saw weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz winning the gold medal for the Philippines, ending a 97-year wait for the country to produce an Olympic champion.
POC president Bambol Tolentino
Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam bagged silver medals, while fellow boxer Eumir Marcial captured a bronze medal.
Tolentino also noted that several other athletes also showed respectable showing, all the reason to be optimistic in Tokyo.
“Marami namang nandyan lang sa striking distance. May kasama tayong ibang boxers at weightlifters. Of course, nandiyan sila Yulo, nandyan ang athletics, golf nakita niyo naman ang performance ng golf. Marami pa. At ‘yung ibang sports na hindi nag-qualify na, nakahanda lang para sa qualification.”
“Hopefully, God-willing, basta magtuluy-tuloy ang programa, lahat ng NSA at ng POC with the help of the national government and the private sector,” said Tolentino.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph