EJ Obiena turns emotional after missing Paris 2024 podium: 'I came up short, I'm sorry' | ABS-CBN
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EJ Obiena turns emotional after missing Paris 2024 podium: 'I came up short, I'm sorry'
EJ Obiena turns emotional after missing Paris 2024 podium: 'I came up short, I'm sorry'
Kennedy Caacbay,
ABS-CBN News
Published Aug 06, 2024 01:27 PM PHT
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Updated Aug 06, 2024 03:05 PM PHT
Philippines' Ernest John Obiena competes in the men's pole vault final of the athletics event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on August 5, 2024. Kirill Kudryavtsev, AFP
Philippines' Ernest John Obiena competes in the men's pole vault final of the athletics event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on August 5, 2024. Kirill Kudryavtsev, AFPMANILA (UPDATED) – Bounce back stronger, EJ Obiena!
MANILA (UPDATED) – Bounce back stronger, EJ Obiena!
The Filipino pole vault star was visibly stunned after missing the podium in the 2024 Paris Olympics on Monday night at the Stade de France (early Tuesday in Manila).
The Filipino pole vault star was visibly stunned after missing the podium in the 2024 Paris Olympics on Monday night at the Stade de France (early Tuesday in Manila).
It did not go unnoticed as his Filipino fans, who stayed up late to watch his campaign, were quick to point out the disappointment of the World No. 2 pole vaulter as they watched the livestream of his bout.
It did not go unnoticed as his Filipino fans, who stayed up late to watch his campaign, were quick to point out the disappointment of the World No. 2 pole vaulter as they watched the livestream of his bout.
Obiena wasn't able to clear the 5.95-m mark in three attempts which led to the heartbreaking loss on the international stage.
Obiena wasn't able to clear the 5.95-m mark in three attempts which led to the heartbreaking loss on the international stage.
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In an interview with Boom Gonzalez of One Sports, Obiena apologized following the unfortunate conclusion of his Summer Games.
In an interview with Boom Gonzalez of One Sports, Obiena apologized following the unfortunate conclusion of his Summer Games.
"I apologize, I promised I’m gonna go back after Tokyo and do better. I did, but I would say it didn’t change in my book. Still, I came up short. I’m sorry, I apologize for it," Obiena said as he eventually teared up. "We'll see how it goes."
"I apologize, I promised I’m gonna go back after Tokyo and do better. I did, but I would say it didn’t change in my book. Still, I came up short. I’m sorry, I apologize for it," Obiena said as he eventually teared up. "We'll see how it goes."
Obiena was a jump closer from a bronze—clearing the 5.95-m mark would have given him an assured bronze medal.
Obiena was a jump closer from a bronze—clearing the 5.95-m mark would have given him an assured bronze medal.
"It’s painful. I missed a medal by one jump and it wasn’t far. Disappointed, definitely," he said.
"It’s painful. I missed a medal by one jump and it wasn’t far. Disappointed, definitely," he said.
Still, his Paris stint was an improvement from his 11th place finish in the Tokyo Games in 2021.
Still, his Paris stint was an improvement from his 11th place finish in the Tokyo Games in 2021.
"It’s the same, I still fell short. I think this one, if not [more] painful maybe just as much. I’m thankful that I got to the final, but at the same time I’m disappointed. It’s the same height and I missed it by one attempt. One attempt was an Olympic medal," said Obiena.
"It’s the same, I still fell short. I think this one, if not [more] painful maybe just as much. I’m thankful that I got to the final, but at the same time I’m disappointed. It’s the same height and I missed it by one attempt. One attempt was an Olympic medal," said Obiena.
In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Obiena shared his reflections from his campaign and expressed his gratitude for the support he received.
In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Obiena shared his reflections from his campaign and expressed his gratitude for the support he received.
"I first want to say thank you to everyone who has followed, supported, and believed in me," he said.
"I first want to say thank you to everyone who has followed, supported, and believed in me," he said.
"4th place is painful to say the least; and in sports with three podium places, perhaps 4th is the harshest place to be. I am heartbroken that a single failure cost me and cost a nation I so deeply love—the podium," he went on.
"4th place is painful to say the least; and in sports with three podium places, perhaps 4th is the harshest place to be. I am heartbroken that a single failure cost me and cost a nation I so deeply love—the podium," he went on.
The 28-year-old athlete also expressed appreciation to two-time Olympic gold medalist and fellow Manila native Carlos Yulo's in the Games and vowed to return to strive for further greatness.
The 28-year-old athlete also expressed appreciation to two-time Olympic gold medalist and fellow Manila native Carlos Yulo's in the Games and vowed to return to strive for further greatness.
"@c_edrielzxs [Carlos Yulo] has already made this an Olympics to remember and I salute him. I am sorry I didn’t join him on the podium but I will be back."
"@c_edrielzxs [Carlos Yulo] has already made this an Olympics to remember and I salute him. I am sorry I didn’t join him on the podium but I will be back."
--Courtesy: Cignal TV, One Sports/POC Media
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