Fresh off the Philippines’ most successful Olympic campaign to date, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino is already looking ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Reflecting on the remarkable achievements in Tokyo and Paris, Tolentino emphasized that the groundwork for continued success begins now.
“First gold medal in Tokyo, back-to-back with two golds in Paris is too tough a task to follow,” Tolentino admitted.
However, he remains optimistic, stating, “That’s why work for Los Angeles in 2028 starts now.”
On Thursday, in what has become a symbolic moment of Filipino pride, Tolentino brought together weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo – who secured the country’s first Olympic gold in Tokyo – and gymnast Carlos Yulo, who doubled the medal tally in Paris.
The iconic lunch took place along the banks of the Seine River, with the Eiffel Tower standing tall in the background, symbolizing a historic achievement for the Philippines.
Tolentino highlighted gymnastics, weightlifting, and boxing as the sports with the highest potential for future Olympic gold medals.
He also noted that in the upcoming Olympic cycle, other sports could receive similar elite treatment.
“The template applied in weightlifting, gymnastics, and boxing has been tested and proven again in Paris,” Tolentino said, referring to the formula for success, which includes a dedicated team of coaches, strength and conditioning experts, physiotherapists, and nutritionists.
“The POC will be encouraging national sports associations to apply a similar template.”
With 32 sports featured at the Paris Olympics, many of which are expected to return to Los Angeles 2028, Tolentino sees opportunities for Filipino athletes in more than a dozen of them.
“Shooting, archery, and taekwondo, to name a few,” Tolentino said, expressing confidence that these disciplines could yield medals in the future.
He also mentioned the potential for cycling, a sport he heads, to rise to prominence.
An International Cycling Union-standard 250-meter indoor velodrome is set to be completed by mid-2025 in Tagaytay City, where Tolentino serves as mayor.
This facility could play a crucial role in developing Filipino cyclists capable of competing at the highest level.
“Twelve gold medals, six men and six women, are staked in track cycling here in Paris, that’s a lot of opportunities,” Tolentino said, underscoring the importance of preparation and infrastructure in the quest for Olympic glory.
As the POC looks forward to Los Angeles 2028, the message is clear: the hard work begins now, with a focus on sustaining the momentum and building on the successes of Tokyo and Paris.
