Filipino athletes begin campaign at 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires
SEVEN Filipino athletes, led by double Asian Games gold winner Yuka Saso, begin their campaign in the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with hopes of improving on the country’s performance last time around and bring further sporting pride.
Golfer Saso, who struck gold in the individual and team events in the recently held Asian Games in Indonesia, was the designated flag-bearer of the contingent in the opening ceremonies on Sunday held at the Obelisco de Buenos Aires for the sporting event for athletes 18 years old and younger happening from Oct. 7 to 19 (Manila time).
Joining Saso in the team are Jann Mari Nayre (table tennis), Christian Tio (kite boarding), Nicole Marie Tagle (archery), Lawrence Everett Tan (fencing), Carl Jano Corpus (golf ) and Nicole Justine Marie Oliva (swimming).
All seven are angling to bring home a gold medal for the Philippines and follow in the footsteps of archer Gab Moreno, who gave the Philippines its first-ever gold medal in the Youth Games in 2014.
Nayre, the first to qualify for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, will kick-start the Philippines’ campaign today followed on Tuesday by Tio, who will compete for six days straight in his bid for a podium spot.
Over 4,000 athletes from 206 countries will vie for 241 gold medals from 32 sports in this year’s edition of the Youth Games.
Considering the expected tough competition, local sports officials acknowledge that it is going to be an uphill battle for Team Philippines but were quick to say that it would not stop the athletes from giving their best and trying to get medals.
“It certainly won’t be easy considering the high level of competition. But one thing is for sure, our athletes will show up with their best performance to get a medal,” said chef de mission Jonne Go of the Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragonboat Federation.
Apart from Ms. Go, also accompanying the Philippine athletes in Argentina is Philippine Sports Commission secretary-general Patrick Gregorio.
Catch the Filipino athletes’ campaign in the 2018 Youth Olympic Games over at ESPN5 and live stream on ESPN5.com.