Youth Olympic Games reunites former PH playmates

NANJING—Filipino gymnast Ava Lorein Verdeflor and shooting world No. 2 Martina Lindsay Veloso grew up in the same neighborhood in Singapore and were reunited again as athletes in the Youth Olympic Games here 12 years later.

Verdeflor, who reached the medal round of uneven bars and all-around events of women’s gymnastics, migrated to Dallas, Texas, while Veloso, who pocketed the silver in the women’s 10-meter air rifle for Singapore, stayed in the island-state.

“I think I saw her but I wasn’t really sure it was her and I would feel embarrassed if I approached the wrong person,” said the 15-year-old Veloso.

Though their families kept in touch and knew that both children qualified to the Games, Ava and Martina didn’t expect they would see one another again.

Ava and her mother had initially sought out Martina at the athletes’ village twice but the latter wasn’t around on both occasions.

Ava and Martina later bumped into each other at the dining hall of the athletes’ village.

“I was really excited to see her but obviously I didn’t know what to expect,” said Verdeflor. “I mean, we were three years old when I last saw her, so I don’t remember much.”

She said reconnecting with Veloso was like meeting a whole new person but the conversation was without apprehension. In fact, the two posed for a photo that recreated one they took 12 years ago.