‘You carry our dreams in Paris’

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos urged the whole nation to rally behind the Filipino athletes searching for Olympic glory in the Paris Games scheduled July 26 to Aug. 11.

“I encourage all Filipinos to rally behind our athletes who are not just chasing medals, but are sprinting to history,” said the Chief Executive in a sendoff ceremony held last night at the Ayuntamiento de Manila in Intramuros.

“You carry our dreams in Paris, you carry the banner of our nation and we will celebrate in every triumph. We believe in you, we are proud of you and we will be with you in every step of your journey,” said Marcos.

“We will cheer for you kahit nasa Maynila kami, maririnig niyo kami hanggang Paris,” he added.

Marcos also hailed the Filipino athletes and showed faith they could get the job done in the French capital.

Tokyo Games silver winners Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam and fellow boxers Aira Villegas and Hergie Bacyadan, gymnast Carlos Yulo, weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, Elreen Ando and John Ceniza and rower Joannie Delgaco graced the intimate ceremony.

Also present were Paralympians Angel Otom, Ernie Gawilan and Allain Ganapin.

It was also graced by top sports leaders, among them Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann, Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino and Philippine Paralympics Committee president Mike Barredo, Senators Pia Cayetano and Francis Tolentino and the Philippine Olympians Association headed by Akiko Thomson.

Cignal TV and MediaQuest president and CEO Jane Basas and Cignal TV first vice president and head of channels and content management Sienna Olaso were also present.

Meanwhile, the trek to the Mount Olympus of sports – the Olympics – starts today when part of the 15-strong Philippine team leaves for Metz in France where they would train for a month.

Petecio and Paalam will spearhead the small delegation leaving at the break of dawn along with Bacyadan, Villegas, Sarno, Ando, Ceniza and Delgaco.

Yulo will fly to Metz next week.

The rest who are training abroad – pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnasts Aleah Finnegan, Levi Ruivivar and Emma Malabuyo, and fencer Sam Catantan – will follow suit and join the main group.

Petecio vowed to give it all in pursuit of glory in Paris. — Joey Villar