How the pandemic changed the games

Riding off the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games high wherein Team Philippines bagged a record-breaking 149 gold medals and a total of 386 medals, the Philippines sports team was ready to set the world ablaze. With the Tokyo Olympics scheduled for July and Pinoy Olympic bets confident because of their dominant SEA Games performance, everyone was hopeful that the country would finally win its first ever Olympic gold medal.

The COVID effect

In March, the government announced that Luzon would be under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), which meant that mass gatherings, outdoor training, and sports competitions were prohibited. Shortly after, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) issued a national travel ban for athletes who were scheduled to depart for international competitions. To ensure the safety of athletes, fans, and staff, more competitions were cancelled including the grandest sports stage of them all, the dream platform of any aspiring champion athlete, the 2020 Olympics. Suddenly, the ultimate goal of some Pinoy athletes this year was gone.

In June, the PSC announced that allowance for national athletes would be slashed by 50% as the government needed the budget to fund its COVID-19 efforts. Support from the private sector also started dwindling down as businesses everywhere (up to now) fight to keep afloat. Some companies reallocated their marketing budget so there were less funds to sponsor athletes, and sports programs were halted.

The bubble controversy

As a basketball loving nation, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) basketball tournament is among the most popular sports competitions in the country. However, team contact sports such as basketball are prohibited under the government’s community quarantine guidelines.

Last August, the PSC discovered that one of the participating teams were conducting a secret training bubble, which could potentially lead to their suspension in the upcoming season 82 of the UAAP, along with other penalties for violating training protocols. While other teams have reportedly been training in private, this was quickly refuted by showing proof of virtual training since the community quarantine began.

A new hope

Amid the controversies and budget cuts, there is renewed hope since President Duterte recently signed into law the Bayanihan Act 2 or House Bill 6953, which reinstates the full allowance of national athletes and coaches. Plus, the expanded Athletes and Coaches Incentives Act or Republic Act 10699 entitled them with a 20% discount in all business establishments and transportation services across the country.

Adhering to social distancing protocols, there is a rise of international virtual sports competitions, giving Philippine athletes platforms to display their athletic prowess. As quarantine guidelines loosen up, and more sports are being allowed to resume training, the Philippine sports community remains optimistic about the future. While the ongoing pandemic has its challenges, they are confident that the heart of Philippine athletes will overcome any challenges sent their way.

Philippine national triathlon team captain and Philippine Olympic Commission (POC) Athletes’ Commission board member Nikko Huelgas is positive that Filipino athletes can bounce back stronger once more sports competitions return. “The pandemic showed how we as athletes can be adaptable to any challenge and that this, too, shall pass. Because of this setback, we have [another] reason to be thankful for [when we] get to play again [during live] competitions. It’s important that we live life with gratitude, and play with heart and soul at every opportunity,” the two-time SEA Games gold medalist mused.

The future is uncertain, and the pandemic is still ongoing. However, history has demonstrated that the human spirit of resilience is stronger than any mountain thrown its way. More sports competitions continue to resume, and more Pinoy athletes will bring glory to the country again. As the late great basketball legend Kobe Bryant once said, “everything negative – the pressure, challenges, are all an opportunity for me to rise.”