Petecio takes on ‘elder’ role for Filipino Olympians

Weightlifters Vanessa Sarno and Elreen Ando, boxers Aira Villegas, Hergie Bacyadan, Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio, rower Joanie Delgaco and weightlifter John Febuar Ceniza left Saturday for a training camp in France. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Nesthy Petecio has fully embraced her role as the eldest sibling in the present batch of Filipino athletes bound for the Paris Olympics.

And what made it superbly special is the affectionate treatment that the Tokyo Olympics boxing silver medalist has instilled within their clique.

“We treat each other as family. I want my fellow Olympians to be as close to each other as possible,’’ Petecio told the Inquirer during the sendoff ceremony at Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Petecio, on her second straight tour of duty to the global sports spectacle, left for the Metz training camp in France on Saturday along with eight other athletes, roughly five weeks before the opening of the Games.

Gymnast Carlos Yulo, rower Joanie Delgaco, weightlifters Elreen Ando, John Ceniza, Vanessa Sarno and boxers Carlo Paalam, Hergie Bacyadan and Aira Villegas also received a parting gift of P500,000 each from Sen. Bong Go.

Joining the eight athletes at the monthlong camp in Metz, a three-hour train ride from Paris, are pole vaulter EJ Obiena, fencer Samantha Catantan, boxer Eumir Marcial and gymnasts Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo and Levi Jung-Ruivivar.

Petecio and Paalam have been designated the nation’s flag bearers during the opening rites as Team Philippines aims to accomplish a similar objective of capturing a gold medal achieved by weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz in 2020 Tokyo.

“We know there’s an attractive incentive waiting for us. But we don’t only fight for those incentives. We fight to reach the dreams of our families and give pride and honor to our country,’’ said Petecio.