Even though Joanie Delgaco did not come close to the podium in the women's single sculls rowing competition at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, she is still returning to the country as a winner.
Delgaco disclosed that she received an offer for an Olympic Solidarity scholarship as a result of her excellent performance in the Paris Games.
Her maiden Olympic experience ended on a high note, finishing her classification race in Nautical St – Flat Water with an official time of 7:43.83 minutes, placing her as the 20th best rower of the Summer Games.
Huge athletic boost
According to 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.”
The Olympic Solidarity Scholarship will help the Camarines Sur native to prepare financially and technically for her upcoming competitions.
Daniela Gomes, the Development Head of Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d'Aviron (FISA), made the offer, according to Delgaco.
“Tuwang-tuwa po ako kasi pinuri niya po ako. Kinausap po nila yung coach ko na nagustuhan daw po nila yung performance ko,” she shared.
Leaving with her best performance
After finishing 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 semi final C/D, Delgaco recorded a sub-7:50 time in her final race, her first ever in the Olympics.
Following Benjamin Tolentino's 18th-place performance in the men's single sculls at the 2000 Sydney Games, Delgaco achieved the second-highest placing by a Filipino rower at the Olympics.
Delgaco's coach Edgardo Maerina finished 22nd at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, while Cris Nievarez placed 23rd in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
