Joanie Delgaco, the first Filipina rower who qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics, has returned to the Philippines to prepare for the Paris Olympics, which will take place from July to August 2024.

Delgaco, 26, from Iriga City, Bicol, made history when she secured a spot to represent the Philippines in the games. 

Delgaco finished fourth in the Women’s Single Sculls final at the World Rowing Asian and Oceanian Qualification Regatta in South Korea on Sunday, April 21, 2024.

“Years na akong nasa rowing, so hindi rin po talaga naging madali yung mga pinagdaanan ko sa training… sobrang saya kasi ‘di ko po in-expect na makakarating ako sa Olympics eh,” Joanne said.

Her goal is to bring home the gold medal for the Philippines.

FAMILY

"Proud" doesn't begin to describe how Joanne’s family feels about her triumph. According to Bernardo Delgaco, Joanne’s father, she has always been passionate about sports, excelling not only in rowing but also in taekwondo, basketball, and volleyball.

“Hindi ko ma kwan sa akin [makapaniwala] na noon yung anak ko ganyan-ganyan lang ngayon isa na siyang tinitingala sa bilog na Pilipinas, Olympian na, kaya ang saya ko [bilang] isang magulang,” Bernardo said.