AN Olympic dream has finally come true.
Mary Joy Tabal finally got confirmation that she will be in the women’s marathon event of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Philippine chef de mission Joey Romasanta personally informed the 26-year0old Tabal of her status in a text message yesterday.
“Dream ko ito. Dream ito na nabuo na matagal na with Coach Philip Duenas,” said Tabal, as she and personal mentor Duenas were heading for an evening workout at the oval of the Cebu Sports Complex.
Romasanta said he received an email on Wednesday evening from Rio Sports Entries Committee representative William Souza of Tabal’s status, which has been posted on the International Association of Athletics Federations website.
The confirmation on Tabal’s Olympic stint comes four days after officials of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association, led by its president Philip Ella Juico, met with her, and reinstated the Cebuana runner as a member of the national team a day later.
Juico, who said he is expecting confirmation by July 11, is currently confiding with Romasanta on Tabal’s and status and that of long jumper Marestella Torres-Sunang.
Romasanta said Rio organizers are asking Philippine sports authorities to delist Torres-Sunang from their list of delegates.
“Wala na. Sobrang excited. Wala nang hindrance,” added Tabal.
Tabal placed eighth in the Scotia Bank Ottawa Marathon three weeks ago and passed the Olympic standard for the sport.
But she did not make the PH national team going to the Rio Olympics outright as she was not a part of the PATAFA national team, hence the request for reinstatement.