The Tokyo Olympics

Hydelyn Diaz has placed our country into world prominence when she garnered the World Championship in the Weightlifting event at the Tokyo Olympics. As reported, this is the first time in almost 100 years that such a feat has been achieved by a Filipino athlete in the Olympic games.If not for the pandemic, Diaz would have been accorded with the usual welcome honors at the NAIA international airport, with no less than President Duterte; a ticker tape parade at the main thoroughfare of Makati and similar other welcome gestures fit for a returning heroine. Instead however, she was met at the airport with a contingent of her fellow marine soldiers, and directly confined at one of the suites of Sofitel Hotel in Makati for isolation, to avoid any possible contamination having come from Tokyo which is reportedly COVID viral. Reports are that she will remain confined for fifteen (15) days, after which she will have an audience with President Duterte in Malacanang.

Another athlete who brought home the Olympic silver medal in boxing is female boxer Nesthy Petecio. Expected to join this winning circle would be two male boxers, Carlo Paalam and Eumir Marcial who made it to the semis in their respective weight divisions.

It is noteworthy that these athletes faced extraordinary challenges in their training preparations before the competitions due to the pandemic. Their victories also come at a time when the country’s morale is at its lowest, and there is so much political divisiveness among us Filipinos. More than just Olympic glory, it is a timely and fitting reminder to us all of the Filipino’s unbreakable spirit in rising above considerable adversities.

TRIVIA:

Through this column I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who remembered me on my birthday, since I cannot personally extend my thanks to them. I am grateful for the gift of family and friendship.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

“I’M A CHAMPION, SO I TURN TRAGEDY INTO TRIUMPH” -KANYE WEST

FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE

“YOU WILL DO GREAT THINGS AND SURELY TRIUMPH” -1 SAMUEL 26:25