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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider PH Olympians can win medals in Tokyo, says training director Velasco

PH Olympians can win medals in Tokyo, says training director Velasco

Published Jul 9, 2021 09:04 pm

Philippine Sports Commission national training director Marc Velasco is confident that the Philippine delegation to the Tokyo Olympics, which kicks off on July 23, has what it takes to win medals in the prestigious quadrennial meet.

Pole vaulter EJ Obiena will be one of the flagbearers for the Philippine team in the Tokyo Olympics. (AFP File photo)

"I do believe we can win medals. May (With an) 's,'" Velasco said during Friday's PSC Hour on Radyo Pilipinas 2. "As we can say, they have the tools to win medals. We are not -- hindi tayo nangbobola (We are not kidding) when we say they have the tools.

"This is really the best of the best of the Philippine athletes. So we are rallying behind them," added Velasco, who is also PSC's chief of staff.

READ: Tokyo Olympics medallists to get cash reward from MVPSF

Velasco cited the likes of world champion gymnast Carlos Yulo, multi-medalist pole vaulter EJ Obiena, 2016 Rio Games silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz, golfers Yuka Saso, the first Filipino to win the US Women's Open, and Bianca Pagdanganan, who all made waves and won several tournaments on their respective sports amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Likewise, the PSC official also lauded the national boxing team competing in the Olympics, including AIBA world boxing champion Nesthy Petecio, Eumir Felix Marcial, Irish Magno, and Carlo Paalam.

For Velasco, there are no reminders left for the Philippine team but to take care of themselves and give their best come the Tokyo Games.

"Right now, it's all systems go," said Velasco, who will be accompanying the national team alongside PSC chief William "Butch" Ramirez in Tokyo.

READ: PSC chairman Butch Ramirez confident Olympic-bound athletes can win multiple medals

"Obviously, 'di nati maiwasan na merong pakunti-kutning pangagailangan na dapat tuunan ng pansin (there will be inevitable problems that we have to keep an eye on). On top of it, the Philippine delegation is prepared this time and not only 'yung Olympic team 'yong Paralympics din natin (but the Paralympics team as well)."

This Olympic edition marks the most number of athletes that the country would be sending off since 20 members from nine sports competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Completing the 19-member delegation are Yulo, Obiena, golfers Saso, Pagdanganan, and Juvic Pagunsan, boxers Petecio, Marcial, Magno, Paalam, weightlifters Diaz and Elreen Ando, skateboarder Margielyn Didal, sprinter Kristina Knott, rower Cris Nievarez, taekwondo jin Kurt Barbosa, judoka Kiyomi Watanabe, shooter Jayson Valdez, and swimmer Luke Gebbie and Remedy Rule.

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PSC Marc Velasco Philippine Sports Commission
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