Paris Olympics: Rower Joanie Delgaco places fourth, stays in medal hunt

FILE–Joanie Delgaco and Melcah Jen Cabrallero (foreground) of the Philippines compete with Indonesia’s Mutiare Rahma Putri and Melani Putri (background) during the lightweight women’s double sculls heat at the 2021 World Rowing Asia-Oceania Olympic and Paralympic Continental Qualifying Regatta in Tokyo on May 6, 2021, where the Olympic and Paralympic Games events will be held. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP)

SCHEDULE: Team Philippines at Paris Olympics 2024

MANILA, Philippines—Rower Joanie Delgaco kicked off Team Philippines’ campaign in the Paris Olympics 2024 on Saturday in France.

Delgaco got off to a strong start but faltered in the end to finish in fourth place in the women’s single sculls heat at Nautical St. – Flat Water.

The 26-year-old Delgaco, the first Filipina rower to qualify for the Olympics, reached the finish line with a time of 7:56.26.

READ: Paris Olympics: Team Philippines’ Joanie Delgaco (rowing)

The Netherlands’ Karolien Florijn topped the event at 7:36.90 while Sweden’s Aurelia-Maxima Janzen finished second (7:41.15) and Slovenia’s Nina Kostanjsek rounded out the top three at 7:46.30.

Delgaco burst out of the scene in Heat 2 with an explosive start that saw her take the lead in third place early.

READ: Paris Olympics: Joanie Delgaco aware of tough task ahead

For the majority of the race, Delgaco tried her best to keep the Slovenian at bay but to no avail as Kostanjsek eventually took over third place.

Despite falling short, Delgaco, who was a volleyball player before fully committing to rowing, still remains in podium contention after being relegated to the repechage round set on Sunday.