At least one gold medal can be won by the Philippines in the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo.
And anyone of the 19 Filipino athletes who have qualified for the quadrennial is capable of doing it.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino is upbeat about this with three weeks left before the start of the games in Tokyo.
“Matagal ko nang sinasabi ito, we will get a minimum of one gold. ‘Pag lumampas doon, bonus na iyun,” said Tolentino.
The POC chief, however, added that he won’t give a name or face to the athlete who will most likely claim the country’s first-ever gold medal, saying all members of Team Philippines are capable.
The POC chief made his prediction on Wednesday following a virtual signing ceremony with national team sponsor, Asics, which will provide the official uniform and shoes of the national delegation to the Games.
Asics executive Kabir Buxani joined the virtual rites with POC secretary general Edwin Gastanes.
The gold could come from Ernest John Obiena (athletics), Carlos Yulo (gymnastics), Eumir Felix Marcial (boxing), Irish Magno (boxing), Nesthy Petecio (boxing), Carlo Paalam (boxing), Hidilyn Diaz (weightlifting) and Cris Nievarez (rowing).
Tolentino is also positive that Kurt Barbosa (taekwondo), Margielyn Didal (skateboarding), Elreen Ando (weightlifting), Jayson Valdez (shooting) and Juvic Pagunsan (golf) can deliver.
Hopes are also high on the performances of Kiyomi Watanabe (judo), Kristina Knott (athletics), Yuka Saso (golf), Bianca Pagdanganan (golf), swimmers Luke Gebbie and Remedy Rule.
Meanwhile, Tolentino said that officials the national delegation to the Olympiad have narrowed down their choice of flagbearer to two athletes.
A male and a female athlete will carry the Philippine flag when the opening rites begin on July 23.
The Philippine delegation’s chef de mission Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said he and the Philippine Olympic Committee have found it difficult to choose from among the qualified Filipino athletes.