THE Philippine Sports Commission is coming up with its own “playbook” to sustain the country’s outstanding and unprecedented success in the Tokyo Olympic Games, according to PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez.
“I have instructed (actingPSC Executive Director) Atty. Guillermo Iroy Jr. and the board to prepare for the coming two board meetings na gagawin namin yong parang playbook: plano papuntang Paris (Olympics in 2024), in LA (in 2028) and Brisbane (in 2032),”
Ramirez said in an interview with Radyo Pilipinas 2, formerly known as DZSR Sports Radio, last Wednesday.
The Philippines has surpassed already its previous best haul of three bronze medals in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympiad courtesy of high jumper Simeon Toribio, swimmer Teofilo Yldefenso and boxer Jose Villanueva.
Ramirez said he now has something to show for the P2.7 billion the government sports agency spent for the country’s national athletes since 2016 that resulted in the best Philippine Olympic performance ever in Tokyo.
Ramirez said to be included in the blueprint will be the continued support of all the 19 Olympic campaigners as well as the rest of the close to 100 athletes who tried to qualify for the quadrennial global sports festival.
“On my own, I would like to continue supporting the 19 Olympians until Paris because they will be bound to do better there,” said Ramirez, who returned over the weekend from Tokyo and is in quarantine at a hotel in Pasay City.
He cited shooter Jayson Valdez, gymnast Carlos Edriel Yulo and pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena, who all made their Olympic debuts.
“I saw Jayson and he was doing very well in the men’s 10-meter air rifle. If you continue to support him and he qualifies for Paris, he will be in the top 5 or top 10 for sure,” Ramirez stressed.
“Caloy and EJ (the nicknames of Yulo and Obiena) were competing in their first Olympics, but next time you can be sure they will be up there battling for gold,” he added.
Following the template that led to weightlifter Hidylin Diazclinching the first Philippine Olympic gold medal in her fourth Olympics, Ramirez said he intends to identify top young athletes aged 15 and give them their chance to the qualify for the next Summer Games.
