Filipina Olympian Dottie Ardina broke her silence and addressed the issues surrounding the alleged lack of uniforms and equipment for the Philippine golf team in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

In a lengthy post on Facebook, Ardina detailed what had transpired during their campaign in Paris, which prompted her to make a video to air her frustration over the apparent lack of support from the Philippine officials.

According to Ardina, the PH contingent was the one supposed to bring the uniforms and equipment to Paris and they were assured that it would arrive by July 31, days before the start of the golf competitions.

The 30-year-old Olympic debutant expressed concern about the arrangement and just opted to bring own set of plain shirts in case of any hitch on the official uniforms. Track suits arrived on Aug. 4 but with no competition shirts.

“Nagkatotoo ang ikinakaba ko at walang dumating na competition shirts. May paparating silang pamalit, na malamang ang sinasabi nilang 'sets of competition gear to be produced in Paris' sa POC statement  Dalawang collared shirts lang na White & Black na hindi talaga pang golf pero napilitan kong suotin sa practice round (August 5 and 6) dahil kailangan na terno kami ng teammate ko,” shared Ardina.

Replacement shirts were bought in Paris but the sizes were too small for Ardina. Moreover, the PH logo was placed under the collar. With no other choice, Ardina and teammate Bianca Pagdanganan made do with the shirts that they have and decided to just tape the PH flag patches.

Aside from the uniform debacle, Ardina said no other equipment was provided for the team.

“Walang nagawang tama. Bukod sa walang uniforms, wala din pong na-provide na golf balls, head covers, gloves at golf umbrella. Bags (locally made) at golf shoes lang ang nabigay sa amin. Mabuti po at may dala kaming sarili. Di ko maisip kung bakit walang budget para sa mga gear at equipment na iyon,” rued Ardina.

“Uulitin ko po, walang dumating na uniporme at ang binili sa Paris ay hindi kasya sa amin pareho at ang PHI logo ay nasa ilalim ng collar,” she added.

A new pair of shirts was provided for Ardina and Pagdanganan for the last round of the competitions, a day after her video went viral online. But just like the first set of shirts the size was still small for her.

“Pagkatapos kumalat ang video ko sa social media, may pinapasuot sa amin nung last day at nakatahi na ang flag,” she added

“Pero tulad ng naunang binili, isa lang sa amin nagkasya dahil hindi naman nagbago ang size na binili para sa akin at magkaiba din ang gawa, kulay at design ng shirts,” said Ardina.

Ardina said she has the choice to be silent with the issue but decided to speak up anyway for the sake of the next golfer that would represent the country in the Olympics.

“Puwede naman po ako manahimik pero naisip ko na din, dapat akong magsalita, kung hindi na para sa akin ,hindi ko masabi kung huling Olympics ko na ito, pero para na lang sa mga susunod pa sa amin. Para mas maayos ang kanilang Olympic experience,” she said.

Ardina then ended her statement clarifying that she meant no harm.

“Dadalawa na nga lang po kami sa golf, dalawanpu't dalawa sa lahat ng sports, hindi pa kami naasikaso ng maayos. Gumawa na kami ng paraan para magmukha kaming ka respe-respeto dito, at sa huli ako pa ang parang sinisisi. Ako po ay walang masamang intensiyon,” she said.