GIVEN the hundreds of millions of pesos that the Philippine Sports Commission invested in the country’s athletes, PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez believes the country is fielding “the most prepared and strongest” batch of athletes to the Tokyo Olympic Games.
“In my view, these19 athletes are the most prepared since we began competing in the 1924 Paris Olympics,” Ramirez said during an online press conference yesterday, three days before he leaves for the Japanese capital.
He cited the enormous expense of the government sports agency in funding not only the training but also the qualifying campaigns of all the country’s standard-bearers in the COVID-19 delayedTokyo Games, disclosing the PSC has already spent P278 million in 2021 for them so far.
Ramirez admitted that expectations are high that some among them would finally deliver the coveted gold that has eluded the country in its 97-year participation in the global sports showcase.
“Malaki ang expectations ng bayan. People’s money was spent. Grabe ang binuhos ng gobyernosamgaatleta,” he noted. “We expect a return of investment, and it can be frustrating if they don’t return with a gold, or silver.
“The PSC may be asked why we are spending so much money kung walanamangbalik. Even Congress will ask if our athletes fail to deliver.”
He cited the example of Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidylyn Diaz, who is making her fourth straight Olympic appearance, on how the PSC has given its all-out support to the Tokyo campaigners.
“Hidylin has two coaches, a nutritionist, a physiotheraphist with her in Tokyo. We gave everything that she needs to do well in Tokyo,” he said, adding the same assistance was also given to the other athletes
In his seventies, Ramirez said he looked forward to being in Tokyo with a mixture of fear and excitement.
“I am 71 so my family was reluctant for me to stay long there. It’s a dangerous journey for me. But we need someone there to represent our government,” Ramirez said. “We need someone who is there who can act decisively should a crisis arise without fearing of losing his job. I am monitoring morning noon and night what is happening in Japan to see if we have to go on July 22.
“Of course, I also want to be there because I might witness our country winning our first gold.”
Ramirez admitted that he is uncertain if the Filipino bets would strike gold in the Japanese capital, “but with the kind of preparations and financial support we have given to the athletes plus their achievements, we have to believe that they can win gold.”
He cited golfer Yuka Saso, who captured the US Women’s Open championship; pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena, who has been making waves in the European athletic circuit; and gymnast Carlos EdrielYulo, the reigning men’s world floor exercise champion, as among the medal prospects
“‘Yung mga boxers natin at siHidylinmgapalaban din ‘yan. I think there are people there nahinogna,” he said.
Ramirez said that whether the country winds up with a medal or not “I intend to stay until Aug. 6 and support all of our athletes by watching their respective events.”
He said that among the first things he would do in Tokyo is to meet with Jose Laurel, the Philippine ambassador to Japan, to coordinate with him should a contingency arise that might affect the national delegation for the duration of the games.
