MEGA’s new video series for the Tokyo Olympics gives an up close look on the makings of an athlete
This year’s long-awaited Tokyo Olympics that will happen in less than a week is a historic one for the country. This year, we have sent the most number of delegates, with a final count of 19 athletes. They are: pole vaulter EJ Obiena, 2016 Rio Olympic weightlifting silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz, World Champion gymnast Carlos Yulo, and boxers Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, Irish Magno, and Carlo Paalam. Asian Games gold medalists skateboarder Margielyn Didal, golfers Yuka Saso and Bianca Pagdanganan are also part of the set.
Weightlifter Elreen Ando, taekwondo jin Kurt Barbosa, rower Cris Nievarez, shooter Jayson Valdez, men’s golf representative Juvic Pagunsan, sprinter Kristina Knott, and judoka Kiyomi Watanabe, and the last two to join the team, swimmers Remedy Rule and Luke Gebbie are also participating.
As of these date, all 19 Filipino athletes together with their coaches and team leaders will be housed in the athletes’ village located in the Harumi Waterfront district.
The Importance of Olympics
The Philippines has always been a constant participant of the Olympic games and a recognized member of the International Olympic Committee since 1929. So far, Filipino athletes have won a total of ten Olympic medals, with boxing as the top medal-producing sport. However, no Filipino athlete has ever won the elusive gold medal.
Sports has been a staple and deeply engraved in the Filipino culture. There’s something about sports that unite us all, and even more so when a kababayan is there to represent our country. Especially in this time where representation matters, the Filipinos who made it in the Olympics help redefine the nation as more than a developing country, but a home to talented people, capable of being the first among nations.
The stadium of dreams as the world calls it, the Olympics is the place where greatness is measured, where athletes can prove themselves of what they’re capable of. This is a place where dreams come true, where sports heroes become living proof that reaching for one’s dreams is possible for anybody.
They promote a culture of hard work and perseverance, the fundamental truth of delayed gratification that beyond the sacrifices and discipline that one exerted, there’s a reward waiting at the end. Whether we like sports for entertainment or for the honor that our champions give us, the life of an athlete resonates to our lives as human beings.
Makings of an athlete
As a countdown to the upcoming games, you will see an up close and personal look on some of the Filipinos who will compete in Tokyo Olympics in the new video series under MEGA People. In their exclusive interviews, people will see a glimpse of what it takes to become a champion. The featured athletes share how they prepared for the games, their struggles on pursuing their dreams, and how they overcome them all. The first three to be featured are Philippines’ flag bearer, Eumir Marcial, Kristina Knott, and Ernest Obiena.
Watch the first athlete featured in this new video series below:
Related:
Exclusive: Filipina Swimmer, Remedy Rule, Shares How She Prepares For The Tokyo Olympics
Yuka Saso Wins Big And Made History At The U.S Women’s Open
The Powerful Filipinas Who Were Qualified For Tokyo Olympics
