Palace lauds PHL Olympic team for valiant effort

Malacañang on Saturday lauded the athletes who represented the Philippines in the 2012 London Olympics for their “valiant” effort in an attempt to end the country’s Olympic medal drought. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte also reassured the athletes of the people’s and government’s support for them, even if they failed to bring home a medal. “(They) fought valiantly. Narito pa ang suporta ng mga Pilipino sa inyo. Huwag ninyo isipin dahil hindi kayo nakapag-uwi ng medalya wala kaming magiging suporta sa inyo," she said on government-run dzRB radio. Valte also reiterated President Benigno Aquino III had already ordered sports agencies to assess which sports the country can excel in, and concentrate on developing athletes in those areas. “Hindi pwede sa lahat magpapadala tayo. Kailangan piliin ang larangan ng palakasan kung saan tayo may pagkakataon at potential at doon ilagay ang pondo," she said. But she declined to comment on suggestions that the government create a Department of Sports, or to have the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. help shoulder the cost of developing and training athletes. The Philippine team to the London Games failed to end the country’s medal drought in the Olympics. Its last medal, a silver in boxing, came in the 1996 games. — LBG, GMA News