Intramuros, City of Manila
June 21, 2024

“More than a send-off, this is an opportune time to get inspiration from the countless athletes who have carried our flag with pride through the years,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed as he led the send-off ceremony for athletes representing the Philippines in the Paris Olympics at the Ayuntamiento de Manila in Intramuros, City of Manila.

Reflecting on a century of Olympic history, he paid homage to the nation’s first Olympian, David Nepomuceno, and celebrated the legacy of Filipino athletes who have carried the hopes of the nation on the global stage.

Addressing the athletes heading to Paris, he underscored the rigorous preparation and dedication that brought them to this pivotal moment.

“I see before me women and men who have sacrificed countless early mornings, long afternoons, and late nights in pursuit of perfection,” he remarked.

The Chief Executive highlighted detailed substantial investments in sports development, including PhP52 million specifically for Olympic preparations and PhP1.156 billion in overall sports funding through the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) for the year.

He emphasized ongoing efforts to rehabilitate major sports facilities and the establishment of the National Academy of Sports System in Tarlac and the Philippine Sports Training Center in Bataan.

The President expressed his faith and pride in the athletes, urging them to exemplify the best of Filipino competitiveness, courage and determination on the global stage.

“We believe in you. We are proud of you. And we will be with you every step of this remarkable journey. Mabuhay ang atletang Pilipino!” President Marcos Jr. concluded in his keynote message.

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