Adjustments in Rio
PINOY ATHLETES BEAR COLD WEATHER, TOILET PROBLEMS
WHILE the threemember Philipines' boxing team arrived safe at the Olympic Village in Rio de Janiero, Brazil yesterday morning (Philippines time), Filipino athletes who arrived there earlier are still trying to adjust with the cold weather and toilet problems.
Three-time Olympian jumper Marestella Torres, who jsut finished her night training at the Olympic Stadium during a Facebook chat interview, said, "Medyo malamig sa gabi pero kailangan kong sanayin ang mag-training sa gabi dahil gabi ang laro ko. Like now, 19 degrees so malamig talaga para sa atin."
She, however, hoped that it won't get windy when she trains. "Mas lalong malamig pag windy. Hindi pa masyado ako nakakapag-adjust lalo na sa pagtulog."
Rooms at the Olympic Village, according to her, don't have airconditioners anymore as the place is really cold.
"Pag may hangin pa lalong malamig sa village namin, windy kasi talaga dun pero dito sa Olympic Stadium ngayon hindi naman mahangin," Torres added.
Aside from the cold, she also said that athletes often face problems with their toilets. When asked if she also has the same predicament, Torres replied, "Yes, heheheh."
Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, 25, born in Zamboanga City, also shared facing a similar plumbing problem but Rio organizers have already addressed it.
Diaz also said that the Filipino delegates are just using mosquito repellent as precaution against the Zika virus that resulted to a number of withdrawals from sports celebrities.
She added that some members of Team U.S.A. had already checked in at the village but "Hindi ko pa nakita ang ibang sikat na mga atleta".
Just like Torres, she resumed training since her arrival in Rio and claims she is not stopping until her competition.
Diaz, who competed in London and Beijing Olympics, admitted being excited and amazed when checking on the weightlifting venue.
"Nakaka-excite at kakaibang feeling," she added.
Meanwhile, men's national boxing head coach Nolito Velasco and boxers Charly Suarez and Rogen Ladon checked in at the Olympic Village upon their arrival from the United States where they trained since late June. They posted selfie and groufie photos upon arriving at the Rio de Janiero airport and Olympic Village on their Facebook accounts.
Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (Abap) executive director Ed Picson, in an e-mail, said they hope that Australian coaches Kevin Smith and Don Abnett "can really ease the burden" for the national team that only had one accredited coach for the Games. Velasco is left to do the job alone after Rio organizers saw it fit to just accredit one boxing coach for two athletes of the Philippines that only has a total of 12 entries.
Picson said he was not also given accreditation.
"We try and shield our boxers from any added stress. We discuss these matters without involving our athletes but I'm sure they're aware. But we try and make up for it in other ways like attending to their every other need," Picson said.
Coach Velasco, on his Facebook post yesterday, thanked the Abap family, the Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission for the support they've been giving to the team.
"Sa lahat ng Filipino lalo na sa ating mahal na Presidente Digong Duterte, maraming salamat po Sir at lalaban kami para sa bayan. So help me God," Velasco said.
The Philippines is also fielding athletes in table tennis, taekwondo and swimming.
The Rio Olympics will open on August 5.