By Joey Villar
OLYMPIC boxing medalists Nesthy A. Petecio, Carlo Paalam and Eumir Felix D. Marcial are not discounting the possibility of going for another shot at an Olympic gold in the 2024 Paris Games.
“Pinapangarap ko talaga gold medal sa Olympics (I’m really dreaming of an Olympic gold medal),” said Mr. Paalam during yesterday’s turnover ceremony of the house and lot he, Ms. Petecio and Mr. Marcial received in Tagaytay City.
The house and lot, a 125-square-meter property courtesy of Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham Tolentino and his brother Sen. Francis Tolentino, was rewarded to Ms. Petecio, Messrs. Paalam and Marcial for bringing home a silver, silver and bronze, respectively, in the Tokyo meet.
Weightlifter Hidilyn F. Diaz, who delivered the country’s first Olympic mint, was given a 220-square-meter property nearby also from the Messrs. Tolentinos.
And of the three, Mr. Paalam appeared to have the best shot at shooting for the gold in Paris as he is the youngest at 23 years old.
Mr. Marcial is 26 while Ms. Petecio is 29.
Mr. Marcial, who will juggle being a pro, an amateur boxer and an Air Force man, said he still have something left in the tank.
“Kaya pa (I can still do it),” said Mr. Marcial.
Mr. Tolentino said had encouraged the three, as well as Ms. Diaz, to go at it one final time.
“I think they can still do qualify in the Olympics and they’re still young enough to shoot for the Olympic gold,” said the congressman from Tagaytay and PhilCycling chief.
Mr. Tolentino said he dreams of giving future Filipino athletes a home if they will end up snaring Olympic medals.
“I will call it the Olympic Village,” said Mr. Tolentino.