PHL Rio performance to build on, says Romasanta

FINISHING at 69th place may not be much to brag about but considering where the country was coming from, the performance of the Philippine contingent in the just-concluded Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil, was still a success and something to build on.

This was how Philippine chef de mission Jose A. Romasanta put things in his initial assessment of the Filipino athletes’ showing in the latest edition of the quadrennial Games.

Speaking to TV5’s Erel Cabatbat in Brazil, Mr. Romasanta said Rio was a good foundation for the small but determined 13-man delegation of the country, which saw action in eight sports.

Never mind if the silver medal that weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz won never got to be added on, the athletes gave their all and the country could not ask for more for their effort, the official said.

Mr. Romasanta also hailed Ms. Diaz’s medal-winning performance as an inspiration for all Filipino athletes as they prepare for competitions ahead.

“Hidilyn will serve as a real inspiration. The preparation will continue for us for the Southeast Asian Games next year as well as for the qualifiers for the next Olympics in Tokyo in 2020,” said Mr. Romasanta, also the first vice-president of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

He addressed as well the criticism thrown their way that the Filipino athletes were not prepared going into battle in the Rio Olympics, saying all those competed went through the qualifiers and earned their spots in their respective events.

“We cannot say they were unprepared. They went through the qualifiers and were outright winners. We can face anybody straight in the face and say no one came here unprepared,” he said.

He went on to compare the country’s performance to some nations who had bigger numbers of athletes and competed in more sports but did not do well.

Mr. Romasanta cited countries like Austria ( 78th), Tunisia ( 75th), Egypt ( 75th) and Israel ( 77th) as some which the Philippines outperformed as far as medal- to- athlete ratio was concerned.

By winning a silver in Brazil, the country got back to the medal standings after being without a medal in the previous four Summer Games. —