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Friday, March 29, 2024

Panlilio: We’ll win gold in Tokyo

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ALFREDO “AL” PANLILIO expressed confidence that the country’s long wait for a first-ever Olympic gold medal will come at the Tokyo Olympics which get going in 36 days.

“I see at least one [Olympic gold]. If we can get more than one, that will be great,” said Panlilio, President and Chief Executive Officer of PLDT and Smart.

The Philippines started participating in the Olympics in 2014 in Paris but could only clinch three silvers—the last coming in Rio 2016 from weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz—and seven bronzes, no gold.

“Everyone has a chance. So we just can’t only aim for one but for more Olympic gold medal,” Panlilio, Philippine Olympic Committee first vice president and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president, told a virtual news conference presented by Cignal, PLDT and Smart on Friday.

Panlilio picked world champion gymnast Carlos Yulo, Diaz and qualifier-in-waiting golfers Yuka Saso and Bianca Pagdanganan as having the strongest potentials to win gold in Tokyo.

But Panlilio said boxers Eumir Felix Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, Irish Magno and Carlo Paalam, taekwondo jin Kurt Bryan Barbosa and skateboarder Margielyn Didal are also potential for the mint.

“We have great potential. I think Hidilyn [Diaz], who was almost there in Rio, can crack the gold this time,” he said. “Yuka [Saso] won the US Open, a major event in golf, at 19 years old, has a great potential.”

The other Tokyo Olympics-bound athletes are rower Cris Nievarez and pole vaulter EJ Obiena.

Siena Olaso, Cignal first vice president for channels and content management, the country will win more than one gold medal in Tokyo.

“Even two gold medals,” Olaso said. “We will get that elusive gold.”

Panlilio, Cignal President and CEO Robert Galang and senior vice president and head of consumer wireless business at Smart Jane Basas announced that Cignal TV and TV5 will air and cover the Games in Tokyo through traditional television, mobile and internet platforms.

“It is our great pride to provide our subscribers access to the Tokyo Olympics for them to enjoy this global sporting spectacle,” Panlilio said. “We are also honored to be able to show support to Filipino athletes as they embark on their journey to make our country proud and showcase their skills through sports and athletics.” 

Read full article on BusinessMirror

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