The greatest show on Earth will happen again from July 27 to August 12 at the London Olympics. It will be another spectacle and the stage is set for this planet’s greatest athletes to give glory to their respective countries in the name of competitive sport. Will it be another fantastic summer for the gold-hauler Michael Phelps? Will Usain Bolt strike again in dramatic fashion? How will China further assert its burgeoning dominance of the Games?
Gold rush is coursing through the archipelago. To boot, even the metals of other value have been elusive to us. Our last podium finish was one tainted with controversy as boxer Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco Jr. came close to grabbing golden splendor for the country at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Other Filipino athletes have tried to grab medals, but their teeth did not see any “bite-the-medal” glory. Call it a lack of organization among the governing bodies involved, or just the superiority of foreign competitors; but the Filipino Athlete deserves recognition for hurdling against the odds and competing with heart and guts that could rival the bravery of someone navigating through the legendary labyrinth.
And now, another contingent will be representing the Three Stars and a Sun. They come from the different walks and marathons of life. These team members have diverse stories, backgrounds, personalities, and preferences that partially mold the motivation to become top-caliber athletes. But they are all playing for flag and country—they are the London Eleven:
- Mark Javier- archery
- Rachel Cabral- archery
- Tohomiko Hoshina- judo
- Marestella Torres- athletics (long jump)
- Rene Herrera- long distance running
- Brian Rosario- shooting (skeet)
- Jessie Lacuna- swimming
- Jasmine Alkhaldi- swimming
- Mark Anthony Barriga- boxing
- Danny Caluag- BMX cycling
- Hidilyn Diaz- weight Lifting (flag-bearer)
They will face the stiffest of competition. Going up against athletes who are well-prepared and primed-up for glory; our team, despite its lean composition, will be just as ready to give it all out. May the toil of the years of practice, dedication, and hard work pay-off for the dream of the Philippines is not yet over. We have the London Eleven. Hopefully, our dream bridge to Olympic immortality will not come falling down.
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