ni MC @Sports | March 21, 2024
Wala na aniyang alinlangan sina Filipino Olympians EJ Obiena at Nesthy Petecio sa pagiging bahagi ng Paris Olympics suot ang uniporme ng bansa habang may nakatatak na Philippine flag. Higit silang nakatuon ngayon sa taas noong pag-awit ng Lupang Hinirang sa competition stadiums sa Paris.
Ito ay matapos na maipahayag ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) nitong Martes na ang bansa ay inalis na sa World Anti-Doping Agency compliance watchlist.
Ibig sabihin wala nang banta na hindi maiwagayway ang bandila ng 'Pinas sa Paris Games.
“I was confident with our sports leadership that the issue would be resolved. It was important to me not only for our nation’s reputation, but to ensure I walk into the Olympic stadium proudly wearing our flag,” ayon kay Asia’s top pole vaulter at Paris bound Ernest John “EJ” Obiena.
Si Petecio na kuwalipikado na rin sa Paris Olympics kasama ang kapwa Pinay boxer na si Aira Villegas ay nagpasalamat din sa Filipino sports officials sa agarang paggawa ng solusyon sa isyu. “We are very happy with that. If ever somebody wins a gold from us, we can hear our national anthem. But we never doubted our sports leaders, we knew they can handle and resolve this issue,” ani Petecio.
Ikinalugod naman ni Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino ang bagong balita na ito. “Well and good. Nobody wanted to be suspended when we attend the Olympics—the world’s grandest sporting show on earth,” saad ni Tolentino. “There’s no more threat that we’ll march without a flag and no national anthem to be played. “We, our NSAs [national sports associations] can now concentrate on Olympic qualifying—more athletes to qualify for Paris.”
Pinasalamatan din ni PSC Chairman Richard “Dickie” Bachmann ang WADA at ang PHINADO at tiniyak na ipagpapatuloy ng bansa ang adbokasiya na maiwasang masangkot sa doping activities ang mga sporting venue.