IN LIGHT of our Olympic hopefuls’ recent success, a question lingers: What has allowed this successful run of Team Pilipinas in Tokyo?
Three things we can learn from the achievement of these athletes who made it to the finals and podium finishes: First is hard work and determination. Second is their trust and confidence with their training teams. Lastly, it is the reality of being supported.
Hard work and determination
After their early success in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, these athletes never let the pandemic stop them from training. They found ways and were determined to push on even with the uncertainty of the conduct of the Olympics. Put in the work, and the results will come in too.
These may have been the battle cry of these athletes.
Trust and confidence
The athlete and coach relationship are as important as the training plans and routines. When athletes trust their coaches, they will reach greater heights together. Recall successful coach and athlete tandems through the years: MJ and Phil Jackson, Kobe and Phil Jackson, current Gilas and Tab Baldwin, Lydia de Vega and his dad, Elma Muros and Coach Jojo. All of these tandems produced good results.
The same is true of Hidilyn and his coach and team and everyone else in Tokyo. If she did not have trust and confidence in them, the story of our quest for an Olympic gold might still be ongoing.
Support
The Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, and National Sports Association have been unwavering in supporting our athletes in defeat and triumph.
Support comes as financial or moral support. As an athlete, the knowledge that you are supported is enough for one to carry on. These athletes raised issues of support early on, but the agencies concerned did not ignore them.
These agencies found ways to support them either through private and government partnerships.
In the aftermath of our triumph in Tokyo, we are looking at a better prospect for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
How then can we sustain our momentum? The first two lessons are from the perspective of the athletes and coaches.
Where we can help is in the third lesson on support.
While it is very endearing to learn of all the pledges of support extend to our medalists, this support could have been better appreciated even before they bring honor and pride to our country. It is not only up to the big companies to extend support; we can do it with as much as a peso a day.
Wouldn’t it be a wonderful feeling if we can say that we were part of the country’s achievement because of our support?
Congratulations Team Pilipinas, Salamat mga Kabayan!