January 9, 2008 | 12:00am
The country’s top tanker Miguel Molina said yesterday it’s not impossible for a Filipino to win an Olympic medal in swimming but the feat would take a lot of hard work and recreating the atmosphere of competitive training in the US to boost the chances of young local prospects here.
Molina, 23, bagged four gold medals and was named the most outstanding male athlete at the recent Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand. He has qualified to swim in the 200-meter individual medley and 200-meter breaststroke at the Beijing Olympics.
It will be Molina’s second appearance in the Olympics. Four years ago in Athens, he swam in four events – 200-meter freestyle, 200-meter breaststroke, 200-meter individual medley and 400-meter individual medley. Molina’s best finish was 42nd of 59 with a time of 1:53.81 in the 200-meter freestyle.
In Olympic history, the Philippines has won only nine medals, including two bronzes in swimming. Teofilo Yldefonso took the bronze in the 200-meter breaststroke in Amsterdam in 1928 and repeated in Los Angeles in 1932.
Molina, who recently graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with an International Relations degree, said winning a medal in the Olympics largely depends on the swimmer’s talent.
“There is no one event Filipinos would have an advantage in because every event is really competitive at a high level,” said Molina in an email from the US. “Filipinos can be good at anything as we have shown in the SEA Games. We won in every discipline and we won in the shortest race and the longest race. I think that shows how talented we are.”
Molina said at the moment, he advises Filipino swimmers to train in the US because of the quality of competition. “But we can recreate the atmosphere in the Philippines,” he continued. “It would be hard work but in the long run, I think it’s possible. There isn’t one specific formula to stick to in developing a competitive swimmer. Any age will do as long as the swimmer is ready. Olympic champions have come from various backgrounds. Some started swimming at two years old and others, swam their first practice at 14. The key is to find a formula for yourself. This translates to life in general. You need to find something that works for you. Other people can give you guidelines but that’s just what they are, guidelines, not formulas or laws.”
Molina said in Beijing, his target is to qualify in the top 16 in the 200-meter individual medley.
“This might not sound like much but I will need to drop considerable time just to do this, about four seconds,” he explained. “This is my best event since I consistently improved in it last year.”
Preparing for Beijing has involved careful selection of his diet and doing yoga.
“I’m watching my nutrition more,” said Molina. “In Athens, I was trying to get personal bests in four events. At least, now there is more concentration and focus in one or two events. I have also been trying to incorporate yoga into my daily routine which can help me focus mentally and also help me with flexibility.”
As for expectations stemming from his performance in the SEA Games, Molina said he doesn’t feel the pressure – yet.
“I try not to think about it because honestly, it hasn’t really sunk in yet or I just can’t see myself as the best male athlete of the SEA Games,” he went on. “I know there are expectations and if I swim in the next SEA Games in 2009, I am aware there will be high hopes not just for me but for swimming as well. I just try to block it out. I think training in the US helps with it a little because not many people know about the SEA Games.”
Molina said he never expected to be named the SEA Games’ best male athlete.
“I never had it as a goal and never really imagined myself winning it,” he added. “I read about the candidates in the village newspaper before the Games started and I saw Singapore’s Tao Li in the article and thought she would win it for sure. I didn’t even know they would vote for male and female awardees so I didn’t put much thought into it.”
When he received his cash rewards for winning four gold medals in the SEA Games from President Arroyo before Christmas in Malacañang, Molina said it was a special moment.
“We didn’t really have time to talk,” he said. “I’m sure President Arroyo was busy with state matters. But it was memorable because the last time I was in Malacañang was right before my first SEA Games where President Arroyo sent us off to Malaysia (in 2001). It was an honor to be up there with so many great Filipino athletes and legends.”
