Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Sunday, June 2 appealed to the Marcos government to provide more financial support for Filipino athletes that would be competing in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games that would be held in Paris, France.
Go, chairman of the Senate committee on sports, proposed the provision of half a million pesos in assistance to each of the 13 athletes qualified to join the Paris olympics and ensure they are fully equipped and focused ahead of the global event scheduled that will take place from July 26 to August 11.
"Ang ating mga atletang lumalahok sa Olympics ay kailangan ng buong suporta mula sa atin. Dapat maibigay na ang nararapat na tulong pinansyal para sa kanilang pagsasanay at iba pang pangangailangan (Our athletes participating in the Olympics need full support from us. Appropriate financial assistance should be provided for their training and other needs),” Go said in a statement.
"Ang tagumpay ng ating mga atleta ay tagumpay ng buong bansa. Ito ang nagpapakita ng galing ng Pilipino sa buong mundo (The success of our athletes is the success of the entire country. This shows the Filipino talent to the whole world),” he added.
Go said the government’s subsidy for these athletes would be essential for allowing them to maintain focus on their training and performance without the burden of financial strain.
The Olympics, set against the iconic backdrop of Paris, will feature over 11,000 athletes from more than 200 countries who will compete in 32 different sports.
Four new sports would be included—breaking, skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing—which were added to appeal to a younger global audience.
Go noted that the focus is not just on individual achievements but also on national pride and the potential for the Philippines to elevate its standing in global sports.
The senator stressed that the financial assistance would play a crucial role in ensuring that the athletes are in prime condition to compete at their best.
“Good luck sa ating mga Olympians... Nandito lang po ako na sumusuporta po sa ating atleta. Laban tayo! Ang pusong Pinoy, palaging lumalaban (Good luck to our Olympians... I'm just here to support our athlete. Let's fight! The Filipino heart always fights)!" he said.
"Suportahan po natin ang ating mga atleta. Bitbit po nila ang karangalan, bitbit po nila ang bandila natin. Suportahan po natin sila. Good luck sa ating mga Pilipino athletes. Para po sa bayan ito. Lahat ng laban natin para sa Pilipino, para sa bayan (Let's support our athletes. They carry the honor, they carry our flag. Let's support them. Good luck to our Filipino athletes. It's for this country. All our fights are for Filipinos, for to the town),” urged Go.