Paris Olympics-bound athletes are ready and equipped–PSC chief


President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. grants a photo opportunity with officials and Philippine Olympians and Philippine Paralympians as they were sent off for Paris Olympics. –HANDOUT PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Filipino athletes competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics are ready and equipped to compete on the world’s biggest sporting stage.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann said multiple sponsors are funding the Paris-bound athletes, boosting their preparations for the quadrennial sporting event.

“The POC (Philippine Olympic Committee) has been getting a lot of sponsors, as well as the PSC and I’m sure all the athletes are happy that all these sponsors and help have been coming in,” Bachmann told Inquirer Sports.

READ: Carlo Paalam ‘feeling better’ ahead of Paris Olympics

“A lot of private companies, senators and other government agencies have full support for the athletes.”

Joining the send-off ceremony was none other than President Ferdinand Marcos, who gave words of encouragement to the Filipino athletes.

In Marcos’ speech, he said he is immensely proud of the Filipino spirit and athletes as they will represent the flag in France in late July.

“My heart swells with pride and optimism. I see before me, men and women who have sacrificed countless late nights in pursuit of perfection,” said Marcos.

The President also said that the government has been heavily investing in Filipino athletes this year alone en route to the Summer Games.

READ: Carlos Yulo focusing on pommel horse as Paris Olympics nears

“We have invested in those dreams and are trying to support the sports movement here in the Philippines. This year. over 1.1 billion has been invested in sports through the PSC in funding athletes,” added Marcos.

Marcos’ appearance in front of the Paris Olympians, according to Bachmann, was huge as they try bring the country to the global stage.

“It’s very huge when the president came over and supported the athletes. It’s very huge,” Bachman said.

Bachmann also revealed that the government will increase the sporting field’s budget next year without disclosing an exact amount.

“I can’t say much now but we’ll be all smiles next year because we’ll have a bigger budget. I can’t tell you the amount but I’m glad we’ll have a bigger budget.”



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Most of the Filipino athletes will be flying to Paris on Saturday in preparation for the Olympics.

Minus equestrian, pentathlon opens Olympic path for PH athletes


Juliana Sevilla, Princess Arbilon and Shyra Aranzado finish with medals at the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) 2024 Laser Run World Championships.

Modern pentathlon, now more accessible to Filipinos has suddenly become a pathway for athletes to make it to the Olympics.

With the discipline discarding equestrian in favor of obstacle course racing, Filipinos can now hope to book tickets to the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

The other disciplines in the sport are swimming, running, shooting and fencing.

READ; PH duo rules mixed relay event in China

Just last week, Melvin Sacay and Juliana Shane Sevilla thrived on the global stage after claiming a gold medal in the UIPM 2024 Laser Run World Championships.

“All our athletes are strong and driven. A different medalist from our team emerges in every competition, that’s how determined they are to qualify for the

Olympics,’’ said Philippine Modern Pentathlon Association president Richard Gomez.

Joseph Godbout led the roster of Filipino athletes, who excelled at the world championships last year after topping the UIPM 2023 Biathle/Triathle World Championships in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia following a silver finish at the UIPM 2023 Laser Run World Championships in Bath, Great Britain.

READ: Princess Arbilon claim two golds in Biathle/Triathle World Championships

Princess Honey Arbilon was likewise a cut above the rest after bagging two gold medals in the Bali, Indonesia world champs last year.

The shifting landscape in the five-sport discipline provides added motivation for Filipino pentathletes to clearly visualize their Olympic dream starting with the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.



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