Dottie Ardina details Paris uniform issue, seeks better support for future athletes

Metro Manila, Philippines – Filipina golfer Dottie Ardina took to social media to detail the uniform problem she experienced during the Paris Olympics, hoping future Filipino Olympians would not have to go through the same ordeal.

Ardina went viral last week for airing her frustration over the lack of proper uniforms for Filipino golfers in the Paris games.

In a lengthy Facebook post, the Filipina golfer said their competition shirts did not arrive.

She also pointed out that the alternative uniforms did not fit them and were not compliant with the requirements of the International Olympics Committee.

“Ang binili sa Paris ay hindi kasya sa amin pareho at ang PHI logo ay nasa ilalim ng collar. Pagkatapos kumalat ang video ko sa social media, may pinapasuot sa amin nung last day at nakatahi na ang flag. Pero tulad ng naunang binili, isa lang sa amin nagkasya dahil hindi naman nagbago ang size na binili para sa akin at magkaiba din ang gawa, kulay at design ng shirts,” Ardina shared.

[Translation: The ones bought in Paris didn’t fit, and the PHI logo was sewn under the collar. After my video went viral on social media, we were given new shirts on the last day, and the flag was already sewn on. However, similar to the ones initially bought, the new uniforms fit only one athlete, because the size ordered for me didn’t change, and the shirts also didn’t match in terms of color and design.]

Ardina said she had asked the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP) about the uniforms on July 28. She said she was told that it will be sent to Paris on July 31.

“August 4 ng hapon, dumating na din sa wakas ang uniforms pero ito ay mga tracksuits lang. Nagkatotoo ang ikinakaba ko at walang dumating na competition shirts,” said Ardina.

[Translation: On the afternoon of August 4, the uniforms finally arrived, but they were just tracksuits. My worries were validated, as no competition shirts were delivered.]

Ardina said she eventually decided to wear a shirt she bought using her own funds.

She also claimed neither the Philippine Olympic Committee nor the NGAP shelled out money for her Olympic bid.

“Sarili ko at ng sponsors ko ang gastos at akin ang hirap at pagod para maghanda at mag qualify. Dumating na lang po kaming Olympians na at handang lumaban para sa bayan. Dadalawa na nga lang po kami sa golf, dalawampu't dalawa sa lahat ng sports, hindi pa kami naasikaso nang maayos,” Ardina said.

[Translation: The expenses were covered by me and my sponsors, and I bore the effort and fatigue to prepare and qualify. We, the Olympians, arrived ready to compete for our country. There are only two of us in golf, and twenty-two across all sports, yet our needs were not properly taken care of.]

Hoping for the better

The Filipina golfer said she chose to speak up for Filipino athletes who will compete at the Olympics in the future.

“Puwede naman po ako manahimik pero naisip ko na din, dapat akong magsalita, kung hindi na para sa akin, hindi ko masabi kung huling Olympics ko na ito, pero para na lang sa mga susunod pa sa amin. Para mas maayos ang kanilang Olympic experience,” she said.

[I could have remained silent about the issue. But I thought, I should speak up not for me because I can’t say this will be my last Olympics. I broke my silence for future Filipino athletes for them to have a better Olympic experience]

The POC earlier cited a logistical issue with their uniform sponsor.

“We have done our very best to give all our athletes everything they need to be at their best for the Olympics but there are certain things that are beyond our control,” said POC in a statement.