A legislator on Saturday expressed optimism that the Philippines will bag its first Olympic gold medal in this year’s edition of the quadrennial event in Tokyo.
Valenzuela City Rep. Eric Martinez said the Philippine delegation to the 2020 Olympic games will ride their momentum in the recently concluded 30th Southeast Asian Games and are expected to bring home Philippine’s first Olympic gold.
“Having the biggest medal haul of the said biennial regional multi-sport event that the country hosted last year, the Philippine delegation in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will be in high spirit, greatly motivated, and would no doubt give their best shot to grab the gold medal honor,” said Martinez, chairman of the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development.
Martinez’s committee earlier adopted a resolution giving tribute to the athletes, who contributed in giving the Philippines the overall championship in the 30th SEA Games, and the record high 149 golds.
“Give me the numbers and let the numbers do the talking: 387 medals, 149 golds, 117 silvers, 121 bronze, the biggest gold medal haul in the history of Philippine sports,” Martinez said.
“President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the number one sports patron, our number one sports fan, and Senator Bong Go, you nailed it. We nailed it as a nation,” Martinez said.
“And finally, onwards to Hanoi, 2021; to Tokyo, 2020 and let the gains and momentum of Philippine sports from the Southeast Asian Games be carried on as we move forward and seek the first Olympic gold of this nation. Mabuhay ang bansang Pilipinas. Mabuhay ang atletang Pilipino,” Martinez said.