Press Release - Olympian golfer Dottie Ardina meets with Bong Go to discuss ways to further improve preparations and support for athletes

True to his advocacy of championing the welfare of Filipino athletes, Senate Committee on Sports Chairman Christopher "Bong" Go welcomed in his office Filipino Olympic golfer Dottie Ardina on Monday, August 19.

Ardina requested for an audience with the senator to discuss the issues that transpired during the 2024 Paris Olympics concerning the lack of national uniforms of the Philippine golf team. In a video she posted, the golfer showed how the Philippine flag is attached to her shirt with the help of a double-sided tape.

"Malaking bagay po ang uniporme kasi nandoon po ang bandila ng Pilipinas. Ito po ang sumisimbolo sa bansa at sumasalamin po sa sambayanang kanilang nirerepresenta. Napakahalaga po sa ating mga atleta na may bandila sa kanilang uniporme," Go stressed.

"The Senate Committee on Sports is your avenue. Kung meron silang hinaing, reklamo, at kung paano pa natin ma-improve ang ating sistema at suporta sa ating mga atleta ay bukas po ang aking opisina," Go assured.

Ardina thanked Go for granting her request for a dialogue, both of them in agreement that with the extreme level of training they go through, elite athletes should be given all the necessary support they can get. "Ang gusto ko lang naman po talaga ay maayos ang pagpapatakbo para hindi na maulit sa iba nating mga atleta. Sabi nga ni Senator Go, moving forward, improvement po ang kailangang mangyari," Ardina said.

Meanwhile, Go filed Senate Resolution No. 1160, aiming for a thorough post-evaluation of the Philippines' participation in the Paris Olympics.

"Hindi po natin nais magsisihan. Ang gusto lang natin ay maibigay ang sapat na suporta sa ating mga magigiting na atleta na bitbit ang karangalan ng ating bansa. Once in a lifetime lang po ang mga oportunidad na ito na makasali sa Olympics o iba pang international competitions. Ibigay na po natin ang buong suporta na nararapat!," Go explained earlier.

"Sabi ko nga, minsan lang tayong dadaan sa mundong ito. Kaya anumang tulong ang pwede nating ibigay, o anumang karangalan ang pwede nating ialay sa bansa, ay gawin na natin ngayon," he added.

An athlete himself and aligned with his advocacy to lift the welfare of Filipino athletes, Senator Go