 |
| The 2012 Summer Olympics gold medal |
In as much as we want our athletes to bring the very first gold in this year's Olympics for our country Philippines, what we are asking might be a miracle. In this 2012 Summer Olympics in London, only 11 Filipino athletes are competing for the games. They were the only ones who qualified in their respective events. So why is it that a gold is just miraculously possible for me? Let me share to you my thoughts:
Based on priority and support. Other countries allot enough budget in the training, preparation and overall well being of their athletes. Letting them compete and train internationally to gain needed experience. Giving them world class facilities and coaches that aim not only to compete but to be the best and break World or Olympic records. We cannot just rely on the inborn talents of our athletes. It must be polished and harnessed to be the best in the world. But facing reality, given the problems we encounter in our country, world competition expenses is one of the last in our country's priority.
Based on quantity. By observation, countries who trained and send a lot of athletes also have the most of those qualifying for the Olympics. And almost all the time, they go home with the most gold and other medals. But then again, doing so requires huge amount of resources and vast financial capability.
Based on ranking. With all the experience, training and support athletes get especially from those countries aiming for the most gold medals, it's no coincidence that they ranked in the top 10 of their sport's category. If a person can perform more; far more longer, faster, stronger and accurate then the medals are as good as theirs. What we can rely on are games judged based on artistic performance, games where ranks fluctuates constantly and games where we are excelling nowadays (i.e. boxing).
Based on morale. The greater the country supports their athletes, the greater is their morale. The more players who win on their side, the more competitive their team becomes. Though it's already an honor for our athletes to compete in this prestigious competition which made their spirits high, but still it'll take more than that to boost them in getting the highest honors.
Based on determination and perseverance. Maybe these are the only traits we can rely and be proud of. Lacking in most needed aspects, our athletes still managed to qualify to compete. Due to our athletes' determination, they learned to improvise and use whatever resources available. And they persevered to reach for the best, thus trying to make the impossible. With these, I salute them.
I know that nothing is impossible, but only if we are doing something and putting substantial effort in order to achieve it. A major improvement to our programs in sports is undeniably important since winning internationally will bring honor and recognition to our country. But we are not as well-off as that of other nations, and we have problems far important which need more of our resources in order to be resolved. So, no one's really to blame. It's just that I hope and pray that someday, those having more than enough would support our promising athletes, providing them what they need in order to bring us our very first Olympic gold... just a wishful thinking.
So are we worthy to have an Olympic gold? My answer is, people who prepared the best, trained the best, sacrificed a lot, push themselves to the limit and are very passionate that they give their all just to be the best in their games deserve the highest honor, the Olympic gold and nothing less.
Good luck to our Filipino athletes. May our Heavenly Father bless you all with good health and safety in the duration of your events. More than the gold, bring home the respect of your opponents and just do your best. You guys already bring pride to our country. To Yahweh be the glory.
