The melting pot of a city that dazzled for a fortnight finally bid farewell to its third Olympics on Sunday night with a star-studded celebration of pop music and its energetic culture.
The country’s chief of mission at the 30th London Olympics here believes it’s about time the government gave sports greater priority by making it a way of life for the Filipinos so it could arrest the country’s distressing decline in the international stage.
They came, they saw, they conquered. (Apologies to Julius Caesar.) This exuberant, free-spirited “barkada” of six stood out at the crowded entrance to Olympic Park in Stratford a few days ago. Perhaps it’s the paper flag they were waving or their tricolor-topped Olympic six-ring false glasses. Or their pompoms. Or their glowing headbands.
BMX rider Daniel Caluag’s incredibly hollow pledge of a fight could well mirror the Philippines’ ignominious campaign at the 30th London Olympics here.
Daniel Caluag produced five unremarkable runs in his quarterfinal heat and crashed out of the BMX competition Thursday, blowing a final chance to salvage a measure of pride for the Philippines at the 30th London Olympics here.
The last Filipino standing at the 30th London Olympics was first on the ramp but ended up second to last in the standings. And he wasn’t worried about it.
As it played out, Marestella Torres needed a leap much shorter than her national record to advance to the semifinals and post a Philippine first in Olympic women’s long jump.
Sobbing on the shoulder of swimmer Jasmine Alkhaldi at the Athletes Village here, Marestella Torres tried to speak but bit her lips instead.
He may be Southeast Asia’s undisputed king of the steeplechase but Rene Herrera knows he’s a nobody when ranged against the track superstars at these Olympics.
The last Filipino medal hope joins the fray Wednesday along with a token entry in athletics as the country rounds out its participation at the 30th London Olympics here.
Brimming with renewed confidence, Marestella Torres finally gets her chance at Olympic redemption when she competes with the world’s best again in the women’s long jump at the London Games here.
The tiny sultanate of Brunei Darussalam could yet prove to be a force in Southeast Asian Games athletics, thanks to a former Filipino 400-meter marvel.
Daniel Caluag finally took in the hitherto secret track that will host cycling’s BMX competition at the London Olympics here Wednesday. And he liked what he saw.
