One of last to punch Tokyo ticket, Remedy Rule says her Olympic buildup started 'years and years ago'

Remedy Rule may be one of the last two to book a ticket for the bus heading to Tokyo but her buildup started many years ago—back when reaching the Olympics was only a mere dream.

The Filipina swimmer shared that she, along with Luke Gebbie, were only recently notified of their Olympic qualification by the Philippine Swimming Inc. (PSI).

But the 24-year-old Olympian said her last-minute booking won’t be a reflection of the level of her preparedness for the Summer Games that kicks off on July 23.

"I was notified I formally qualified at the beginning of July, but preparation for the Olympics began years and years ago — when it first was only a dream of my ten-year-old self to compete in the Olympics," she told GMA News Online in an interview.

"In the past few years, the dream seemed more tangible. Since then, I have been physically and mentally training with the Olympics in mind. For the last few weeks leading up to the Olympics, I have fine-tuned my technique and focused on the mental game — specifically, focusing on what I can control: my effort and my attitude."

Rule and Gebbie were the 18th and 19th Filipino athletes to earn an Olympic berth through the universality places allocated to the Philippines.

Rule, who copped two silver and two bronze medals in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, formalized her entry after she garnered 830 FINA points. She will compete in both the women's 200m freestyle and 200m butterfly.

Gebbie, on the other hand, secured his slot through his 828 FINA points and is set to suit up in the men's 100m and 50m freestyle.

Rule understands that there is pressure put on the shoulders of each Filipino athlete seeing action in the quadrennial meet with the country hoping to deliver its first-ever gold medal.

But she stressed she just wants to enjoy every bit of her Olympic appearance.

"I tell myself, 'All I can do is my best and my best is enough,'" she added.

"I want to finish my races knowing I gave it my all, that I did my best, enjoyed racing at the pinnacle of my sport, and made my country proud. I hope to leave a lasting legacy for the Philippines in how I carry myself in the pool and out of the pool."

Rule also lamented the absence of the crowd but said she'll compete as if a rabid Filipino crowd is present, and showing its support.

"I loved representing the Philippines in the 2019 SEA Games, especially having the home crowd," she said.

"With no spectators in Tokyo, I’ll be visualizing the stellar Filipino SEA Games crowd cheering me and the other Filipino athletes on."

—JMB, GMA News