AFTER a century of participation, the Philippine Olympic odyssey comes full circle as 22 standard-bearers join the crí¨me dela crí¨me of athletes from all over the globe for the Greatest Sports Show on Earth raising its curtain in the romantic French capital of Paris today.
To mark the celebration of the 33rd edition of the Modern Olympics at the birthplace of its founder, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the French hosts have pulled out all stops in opening the global sports gala with a novel fluvial parade along the Seine River.
The Philippines made its bow in quadrennial showcase in 1904 with one athlete, runner David Nepomuceno, who saw action in the men’s 100 and 200-meter sprints and was 34th country among 44 nations that took part in the first Paris Olympics.
The Kenyan news website People Daily waxed poetic on what would transpire during the occasion in a news story posted the previous day, Wednesday.
“The Seine, the city’s main waterway, will replace the traditional track, with the quays serving as spectator stands. The setting sun reflecting off iconic Parisian landmarks will create a stunning backdrop for the event,” it reported.
“The parade route along the Seine will offer a visual journey through Parisian history and architecture. Starting at the Austerlitz Bridge next to the Jardin des Plantes, the flotilla will travel west for six kilometers along the Seine, passing under historic bridges and iconic landmarks like Notre-Dame and the Louvre.
“It will also pass some Games venues, including the Esplanade des Invalides and the Grand Palais,” the story noted.
Joining the Olympic opening ceremony fleet are 16 members of the Philippine Olympic contingent bannered by boxers and Tokyo Summer Games silver medalists Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio, who will be carrying the country’s colors during the parade.
Joining them are fellow boxers Aira Villegas, Hergie Bacyadan, athletic hurdlers Lauren Hoffman and John Cabang Tolentino, fencer Samantha Catantan, gymnast Aleah Finnegan and swimmers Kayla Sanchez and Jarrod Hatch.
Also on the same boat during the festive opening are Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla, the PH team chief of mission, athletics chief Terry Capistrano, boxing secretary general Marcus Manalo, gymnastics head Cynthia Carrion and rowing honcho Pato Gregorio, all clad in the smart Barong Tagalog designed by couturier Francis Libiran.
Skipping the event are gymnasts Carlos Edriel Yulo, boxer Eumir Felix Marcial and rower Joanie Delgaco, who all plunge into action in their respective disciplines tomorrow.
Philippine Olympic Committee president and Tagaytay City Mayor Bambol Tolentino said from Paris that weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, John Febuar Ceniza and Elreen Ann Ando were wrapping up their preparations in French city of Metz and won’t check in at the Olympic Village until Aug. 6.
On the other hand, pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena, who has been training at the Normandy Sports Center, was expected a day or two before the qualifying meet of the event at the Stade de France.
Tolentino has been bullish about the Philippine Olympic campaign in Paris, seeking to surpass the historic haul of one gold, courtesy of weightlifter Hidylin Diaza, two silvers from Paalam and Petecio, and bronze from fellow boxer Marcial in the Tokyo Olympiad three years ago.
Boxing chairman Ricky Vargas publicly announced that two mints could possibly come from boxing while the weightlifters could likewise deliver a podium finish, according to weightlifting head Monico Puentevella.
