Obiena apologizes for Olympic loss, vows return

Metro, Manila Philippines – Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena apologized for missing a medal at the Paris Olympics pole vault finals on Tuesday, Aug. 6.

In a statement, Obiena admits he is still heartbroken by the result. He finished fourth.

“4th place is painful to say the least, and in sports with three podium places, perhaps 4th is the harshest place to be,” he wrote on Facebook.

Despite missing a podium finish, Obiena’s performance was still an improved outcome from his 11th place at the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo.

Obiena said he is still proud of what he accomplished for the Olympics.

The Filipino pole vaulter also thanked everyone who stood by him throughout the journey.

“I will be back”

Meanwhile, Obiena celebrated the historic feat of two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo.

He said he is sorry for missing the podium but promised one thing.

“I will be back. The good get up as they say. I have been knocked down. But I will get back up,” said Obiena.

Cheering for Obiena

Filipinos were quick to rally behind the pole vaulter.

Netizens acknowledged Obiena for carrying the Filipino flag on the world stage – for a sport that isn’t known to many.

“It doesn’t diminish the fact that a Filipino is one of the greatest pole vaulters alive today and that is worth cheering for, regardless of EJ’s final standing,” a netizen wrote on Facebook.

Radio host Dj Chacha also commended Obiena as the sole Asian pole vaulter in the finals.

National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario, meanwhile, penned a heartfelt poem for the Filipino pole vaulter.