Tough challenge sa 2024 – Tolentino

THE Paris Olympics is just around the corner, nahaharap ang Pilipinas sa matinding hamon sa isang mahirap na sitwasyon pero kayang makamit ang tough yet achievable challenge sa 2024.

“From a scale of 1 to 10, I give Filipino athletes a high mark of 8.5 to 9 for 2023,” saad ni Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino .

“Yes, I’m very much contented—after breaking those records and bringing back the glory—all of those accomplishments were hard-earned, both by the athlete and their coaches and the stakeholders,” ani Tolentino

Si Ernest John “EJ” Obiena, ang first Filipino to qualify para sa Paris, ang pinakamaningning noong 2023 sa kanyang record-breaking performances sa Hangzhou Asian Games at Cambodia Southeast Asian Games at ang makasaysayang men’s pole vault silver sa world championships.

Hats off din si Bambol sa national men’s basketball team matapos ang gold medal ng Gilas noong Hangzhou quadrennial, the first for the country since the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta.

“But all these gold medals, these achievements belong to all of us, all Filipinos, all of those who prayed hard,” aniya. “It was all about the athletes’ and Team Philippines’ dedication, motivation and inspiration.”

Matagumpay ang 2023, this year will be a tough challenge with the Paris Olympics just around the corner.

“This will be a tough year for us, Paris is just around the corner,” ani pa Tolentino.“And before we get there, there are tough competitions for our athletes to qualify.”

Apat na Filipino athletes pa lang ang qualified for Paris—Obiena, Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist boxer Eumir Felix Marcial at gymnasts Carlos Yulo at Aleah Finnegan.

With athletics and aquatics offering universality slots, the country is guaranteed with at least three more qualifiers. Tolentino said he’s looking to at least match the 19 athletes in Tokyo.

“It will be very good if we again have 19 Olympians, but if we don’t have those numbers, the focus will be on the podium. Hopefully, we haul more in Paris,” ayon pa sa. Tagaytay City mayor.

Paris marks the centennial of Philippine participation in the Olympics and Tolentino is praying to surpass Hidlyn Diaz-Naranjo’s weightlifting gold medal, Nesty Petecio and Carlo Paalam’s boxing silver and Marcial’s bronze at the Tokyo Games.

“We’re not only the country preparing for Paris, everybody else is preparing hard for the Olympics,” Tolentino told veteran host Judith Caringal. “We need all the support—moral, financial, among others.”

Binigyang-diin ni Tolentino na ang programa sa 3 Filipino athletes na sasabak 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games scheduled from January 19 to February 1 in Gangwon, South Korea na sina Peter Joseph Groseclose, 16 (speed skating short track); Avery Uriel Balbanida, 14 (skiing, cross-country); Laetaz Amihan Rabe, 14 (freeski slope style and freeski big air) ay lubos na pinaghahandaan.

“I’m proud to announce their qualification and participation in Gangwon,” Tolentino said. “We Filipinos have defied limitations and embraced the challenges of competing in winter sports through the years. We’re living in a tropical country, but our spirit simply knows no boundaries.” wika ni Bambol na pinuno din ng PhilCycling.