AFTER relishing the experience of being part of the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games, hurdlers John Cabang Tolentino and Lauren Hoffman are eager to get back to work, eyeing to hurdle the heats in their events while setting new national marks, to boot.
“I was not expecting this at all. It was a total surprise because EJ (pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena) declined to go (to the opening ceremony) so I took his place instead. It is a pleasure,” said the Spain-based Tolentino, 22, who is set to make his Olympic debut in the heats of the men’s 110-meter hurdles on Aug. 4.
They joined Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association president Terry Capistrano as part of the 16-member Philippine contingent that participated in the unique inaugural ceremony on the Seine River.
Still training in Metz, France, Tolentino said he would check in with Spanish coach Martin dela Fuente at the Olympic Games Village tomorrow, adding that he intends to advance from the heats at the Stade Frace outright to the semifinals two days later.
He disclosed that Olympic athletic rules now give athletes a second chance in the hurdles should they fail to qualify for the semis from the heats.
“There will be a repechage round on Aug. 6 but I don’t intend to go there but make it to the semifinals from the heats,” said Tolentino, who aims to break his national mark of 13.37 seconds set during the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships last April.
With his adoptive Spanish parents working in Madrid, Tolentino said they would watch him in action on TV, adding they were so proud they had a son competing in the Olympics.
“It feels such an honor to wear my first Barong Tagalog and be a part of the Paris Olympic ceremony,” gushed Hoffman, 25, who will be racing in the women’s 400-meter hurdle heats also on Aug. 4.
Hoffman said both her parents would be around to witness her race next week. They are presently with her former Duke Varsity coach, Mark Mueller, who will be her personal mentor during her Olympic outing.
Just like Tolentino, the former Blue Devil athletic ace disclosed she aims to qualify for the semifinals from the heats and also break her national mark of 56.39 seconds.
“Yes, that is my goal. To reach the semifinals from the heats while setting a new national record in the process,” Hoffman said.
Both hope to step up for flag and country in their maiden stint in the global sports extravaganza by making it to the finals of their events at the 80,000-seat French National Stadium.
