President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his message for Rio-bound Filipino athletes. MARLON RAMOS
PRESIDENT Duterte yesterday provided the inspiration the Rio de Janeiro-bound national athletes direly need in their mission to finally bring home a medal from the Olympics.
Mr. Duterte received the athletes in Malacañang a week before they fly to Brazil for the Aug. 5 to 21 Games.
“Just try your best. Not everybody is given the chance to serve his country,” he told six of the 12 Rio-bound athletes who paid him a courtesy call along with their coaches and officials of the Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission.
Golfer Miguel Tabuena, table tennis ace Ian Lariba, taekwondo-jin Kirstie Elaine Alora, weightlifter Nestor Colonia and three-time Olympians Marestella Torres-Sunang (long jump) and Hidilyn Diaz (weightlifting) came to the Palace in their flaming-red Olympic training jackets.
Still training overseas are boxers Rogen Ladon and Charly Suarez, hurdler Eric Cray, swimmers Jasmine Alkhaldi and Jessie Khing Lacuna and lady marathoner Mary Joy Tabal.
Mr. Duterte said he would give sports more funding once he solves the problem on uncollected taxes.
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