Team Philippines almost complete at Paris Olympic village

FILE – People walk in front of the canteen in the Olympic Village on Monday, July 22, 2024, in Paris, France. Members of the Team Philippines are starting to arrive at the home of the Paris Olympics participants.  (AP Photo/Michel Euler, Pool, File)

SCHEDULE: Team Philippines at Paris Olympics 2024 (PH TIME)

Samantha Kyle Catantan checked in at the Paris Olympic Village on Wednesday, joining fellow Filipino Olympians from rowing, boxing and gymnastics.

Although the nation’s top woman foil fencer remains ecstatic on her maiden voyage to the grandest stage in sports, Catantan isn’t about to be consumed by the overwhelming atmosphere around her.

“The pressure is always there. You just have to get used to it,’’ said Catantan prior to entering the village where more than 14,000 athletes and
officials from 206 countries will be quartered over the next two weeks.

READ: Team Philippines in Paris Olympics 2024: Meet the athletes

The moment of truth for the 22-year-old former Southeast Asian Games individual champion comes on Sunday (July 28) during the elimination phase of the two-day tournament. The gold medalist will be crowned the following day when the semifinal and final are scheduled.

“My goal is to give my all, fight to the best of my ability and see where all those efforts will take me,’’ said Catantan, the first fencer who will represent the country in 32 years.

But for now, surrounded by the best athletes in the world, Catantan will just soak it all in.

“I’ll try to enjoy the moment as much as I can. This is an entirely different atmosphere. Not all athletes are lucky to experience this,’’ said Catantan.

Filipino boxer Nesthy Petecio joins the growing Team Philippines delegation settling inside the Olympic Village ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024. –NESTHY PETECIO INSTAGRAM

Rower Joanie Delgaco, who will open the nation’s bid on Saturday in the women’s single sculls, belonged to the first batch of Filipino athletes that arrived at the village the size of 70 football pitches.

Boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam, the two Tokyo Olympic silver medalists designated as flag-bearers during the opening ceremony come Friday, are likewise accounted for together with Tokyo bronze medalist Eumir Marcial, Hergie Bacyadan and Aira Villegas.

Gymnast Carlos Yulo is also inside the village that sits in the suburb of Saint-Denis, known in the sports world as the home to the Stade de France, where France’s national football and rugby teams play.

Together with Yulo are women artistic gymnasts Levi Jung-Ruivivar, Emma Malabuyo and Aleah Finnegan.

READ: Paris Olympics: Athletes enjoying first days at Olympic village

Team Philippines’ gymnasts Carlos Yulo, center, Aleah Finnegan, right, and Emma Malabuyo at the Olympic Village in France. Photo from Aleah Finnegan’s Instagram

According to former Philippine Olympic Committee Athletes Commission chair Nikko Huelgas, who has been busy helping the athletes in their one-month training in Metz, France, swimmers Jarod Hatch and Kayla Sanchez will arrive on Thursday.

Pole vaulter EJ Obiena, who set up camp in Normandy, isn’t due at the village until July 30 as well as hurdlers John Cabang Tolentino and Lauren Hoffman. Obiena, the world’s No. 2 vaulter, competes on Aug. 3 (qualification round) and hopefully during the medal phase on Aug. 6.

Last to arrive at the Olympic Village are weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, Elreen Ando and John Ceniza on Aug. 3.

Ceniza (men’s 61kg) will be the first to step on the mat on Aug. 7, the two-time Olympian Ando (women’s 59kg) is scheduled Aug. 8 and Sarno (women’s 71kg) closes out the Philippine campaign on Aug. 10.