Joanie Delgaco also concluded her first Olympic stint as the the second-best performing Asian rower, and the top-ranked Southeast Asian paddler in Paris.
Joanie Delgaco killed two birds with one stone in her final Olympic Games Paris 2024 race.
Delgaco revealed she was offered an Olympic Solidarity scholarship just moments after capping off her first Olympic stint with a second place finish in Final D – and 20th place overall– of the women’s single sculls event on Friday, August 2.
“Nung [July] 31 po inoffer po sakin [yung Olympic Solidarity scholarship],” she revealed.
Philippine Rowing Association (PRA) President Pato Gregorio confirmed this positive development.
Per the International Olympic Committee (IOC) website, Olympic scholarships “provide elite athletes and teams worldwide financial and technical assistance to ensure that they can enjoy optimum preparation for future Games.”
Delgaco then shared how the process went through, speaking the praise she received from none other than Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d'Aviron (FISA) Development Head Daniela Gomes regarding her splendid Paris 2024 performance.
“Tuwang-tuwa po ako kasi pinuri niya po ako. Kinausap po nila yung coach ko na nagustuhan daw po nila yung performance ko,” the pride of Camarines Sur shared.
Furthermore, Delgaco added that the governing body of the sport of rowing will accommodate all of her needs– from equipment, allowance, and other essentials– in whichever competition she wishes to join in the future.
Saving the best for Last
Looking back on his final race, Joanie expresses gratitude and all-around positivity in what turned out to be her finest performance in the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
“Sobrang saya ko kasi nabigay ko yung best ko kanina. Wala talaga akong pinagsisihan sa lahat ng mga races ko.”
[ALSO READ: Paris 2024: Joanie Delgaco finishes 2nd in Final D, 20th overall in women’s singles sculls]
Delgaco clocked in 7 minutes and 43.83 seconds in her last race, posting a sub-7:50 mark for the first time after recording 7:56.26 in the heats, 7:55.00 in the repechage, 7:58.30 in the quarterfinals, and 8:00.18 in the classification semifinal C/D.
“Sobrang laki po ng binababa ng time ko and kanina ang ganda po talaga ng race ko.”
Delgaco netted the second-highest ranking by a Filipino rower in the Olympics after the 18th-place finish of Benjamin Tolentino in the men’s single sculls in Sydney 2000.
[With reports from Denise Tan]