There had been times when it seemed
that the Tokyo Summer Olympics of 2020, which could not happen that year
because of the COVID-19 pandemic, would simply be scrubbed altogether. But with
a spirit of determination from the organizers despite significant opposition
from the formerly-enthusiastic population, the Olympic Games were held as
planned over two weeks from late July to early August. And despite the risk of
pandemic spreader events, the events went off without drastic issues. The
Philippine delegation can definitely be grateful for these Olympics, allowing
national athletes to achieve or break some records before the closing ceremony.
As told by CNN Philippines, the Tokyo Summer Olympics came to a close this
past Sunday, August 8. Overall it was a struggle for medal supremacy between
the US and China, ending with the former beating the latter out in medal
quantities (especially a one-gold lead) in a sobering reminder of tensions
between the two countries. But Filipino Olympians could care less about that,
especially after winning the country’s first gold medal. While said medalist,
weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, has already returned home, another female athlete
carried the Philippine flag in the closing parade: first female boxer silver
medalist Nesthy Petecio.
Between Hidilyn’s gold and Nesthy’s
silver, Team PH for Tokyo 2020 would have already done much better than
previous Olympic appearances. But the record for total medals won was pegged by
the delegation to the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles, with three bronze medals.
Luckily, two other boxers would step up to break that milestone, with Eumir
Marcial being the first Filipino boxer to win Olympic bronze since Roel Velasco
in Barcelona 1992, while Carlo Paalam was the first to bring back a silver
since Roel’s younger brother Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco in Atlanta of 1996.
In both quantity and quality with
a gold medal, two silvers and a bronze, Team PH for Tokyo 2020 has definitely
cemented itself as the new standard to beat in Philippine Olympic participation
history. And even with the other hopefuls, who competed their best but could
not advance to a podium finish, many are still young and looking forward to
trying again at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, closer due to the one-year
delay for Tokyo. The challenge now is not only to fulfill all incentive pledges
given to the medalist by government and private sector, but to intensify
training for them and other Olympic hopefuls, so as not to waste this great
achievement.
Image courtesy of Yahoo News
0 comments:
Post a Comment