STRONG CONTENDER Hidilyn Diaz AFP FILE PHOTOAS the pandemic-delayed opening of the Tokyo Olympics draws closer, Filipinos can't help but wonder: will this be the year when the Philippines finally seizes its first gold medal in the world's grandest sporting spectacle?Filipinos had been pursuing that elusive Olympic gold for close to a century now. It will be 97 years of pursuit, to be exact, when the Tokyo Games starts on July 23.The Philippines made its Olympic debut in 1924 in Paris. Since then, it has joined in all editions but the 1980 Moscow Olympics when the country joined the American-led boycott.The Philippines will send 19 world-class athletes to Tokyo and most Filipino sports leaders believe this is the country's best chance of winning the gold. But lady luck did not smile on Velasco in the championship match many Filipinos thought he should have won. Still, it was an amazing feat for Velasco, who returned home to a grand hero's welcome.Velasco was not the first Filipino boxer to make it all the way to the gold medal round.

Source: Manila Times July 11, 2021 15:56 UTC