Duterte might join Filipino athletes in Tokyo

The Philippines is very optimistic of winning its first Olympic gold medal in the Tokyo Games (July 23 – August 8), with President Rodrigo Duterte expected to personally witness the historic event.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William Ramirez said Duterte will be one of three government officials scheduled to accompany the 19-athlete Team Philippines that has vowed to end the country’s long search for an Olympic gold.

“The President has a slot there,” said Ramirez. “Tama lang andun kami to provide help including financially. I don’t want to be reprimanded by our government for being remiss of my duty if anything happens and I’m not there. After all, we invested in this through hard-earned people’s money.”

Duterte will be joined by Ramirez and PSC national training director Marc Velasco in going to Tokyo to assist in providing for the needs of the athletes.

Ramirez is optimistic the country can bring home its first Olympic gold in Tokyo. “We have 19 athletes. We have one, two, three and even four who can win gold, pwede mag silver at mag bronze,” said Ramirez. Those identified of having a strong chance of winning a gold are 2016 Rio Games silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz, world gymnastics champion Caloy Yulo, boxers Eumir Marcial, Irish Magno, Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam, pole-vaulter Ej Obiena, US Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso of golf and another weightlifter Elreen Ando.