Sunday, August 17, 2008 Cabaero: Elusive gold By Nini B. Cabaero Beyond 30
THE Social Weather Station (SWS) released last August 7 the results of its sports survey that showed how respondents view Philippine participation in the Olympic games.
A huge 93 percent of respondents said they feel proud whenever the Philippines does well in world sports, and 91 percent called it important for the country to compete in the Olympics.
The survey, done last March 30 to April 2 or before the opening of the Beijing 2008 Olympics, asked the question, "How proud are you when Philippines does well at an international sports or games competition?"
The result (found at www.sws.org. ph) said 74 percent answered very proud, 19 percent somewhat proud, 5 percent not very proud, and only 2 percent not proud at all.
On the 2008 Olympics, the sports survey found 91 percent saying it is “very/somewhat important” for the Philippines to compete for as many medals as possible.
The detailed breakdown of answers to the question, "How important is it for the Philippines to compete for as many medals as possible at the 2008 Olympics in China?" showed 67 saying it is very important, 24 percent somewhat important, 7 percent not very important and 2 percent not at all important.
The respondents also named sports organizations such as the Philippine Olympics Committee and the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines as doing their best to improve the country’s chances in competitions.
The survey results established the sense of support the respondents have for Filipino athletes and the high expectation on Filipino performance in the Olympics. With no Filipino athlete in the running for an Olympics 2008 medal, will this support to Filipino athletes soon wane?
The latest reports on Filipino athletes in the Olympics were on the losses suffered by boxer Harry Tañamor, badminton players the Asuncion siblings, archer Mark Javier, shooter Eric Ang and weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz. After their losses, hopes for a medal were dashed.
The last medals won by Filipinos were those by boxer Onyok Velasco, a silver in 1996, by his brother, boxer Roel Velasco, a bronze in 1992, and by boxer Anthony Villanueva, a silver in 1964. No Filipino athlete has ever won an Olympic gold.
The despair over not winning any Olympic medal would be short-lived, or would last only until the next athlete makes the country proud in another international event.
The SWS survey results showed how the respondents can be proud of the country's international sports achievements. While they may be aware of how under-financed and under-supported our athletes are, they view it as important for the country to participate in the Olympics.
We may not have an Olympic gold yet but, as one poster said in the Beijing Games blog of the Sun.Star website at www.sunstar.com.ph, “We’re not alone.” There are other countries that still have to get that elusive gold or silver or bronze.
It makes us proud enough to field our best players despite the odds.
