By Ed Andaya

THE coronavirus-delayed Tokyo Olympics will be remembered for the gold medal of weighlifter Hidilyn Diaz , the silvers of boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam and the bronze of Eumir Felix Marcial.
But for rower Cris Nievarez , it is an experience of a lifetime that could serve him well in the future.
Let's listen to him.
"It's a wonderful experience. Madami akong natutunan sa Tokyo, na makatutulong sa akin bilang atleta sa iba pang mga international competitions,"said Nievarez during the 113th "Usapang Sports on Air" by the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) via Zoom.
"Kung papalarin na makasali uli sa 2024 Paris Olympics, mas malaki na ang tsansa ko na manalo dahil mas alam ko na ang gagawin ko, simula pa lang ng training hanggang aktual na kumpetisyon," added Nievarez during the weekly public service program sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
In Tokyo, Nievarez finished 23rd place overall in the men's single sculls event.
The 21-year-old pride of atimonan,Quezon Nievarez clocked his best time of seven minutes and 21.28 seconds for a fifth place finish in the classification final D.
But although he surpassed his Olympic debut time of 7:22.97 in the preliminary round that clinched him a quarterfinal berth, Nievarez missed his medal chance when he failed to advance to the semifinal.
A gold medal winner in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games but a first-time Olympian, Nievarez was the only Southeast Asian qualifier in the men's singles sculls.
Still, it was a performance that fell short of the expectations of the sports-loving Filipino nation searching for new sports heroes in the world's biggest and most prestigious competitions for 97 years.
But it is also something that gives one a lot of promise.
"I experienced the challenges, the pressures of representing the country in the Olympics and competing against the world's best. Sa tingin ko, mas alam ko na ang kailangan kong gawin to become a better athlete," explained Nievarez, who became the first Filipino rower to qualify in the Olympics since rowing legend Benjie Tolentino in Sydney 2000.
"One of the lessons I learned is the need to work hard to maintain a strong body. Nakita ko pagka-linya namin sa starting line, talagang sobrang malalaki at matitigas yun mga kalaban. Lightweight talaga yun category ko, pero open weight yun event ko na M1X kaya may disadvantage na agad," explained Nievarez.
"Another lesson is preparation. Pero dahil nga po sa pandemic,dito lang kami sa Pilipinas nakapag-training. May pupuntahan sana kaming magandang training camp sa ibang bansa, pero dahil sobrang hasse mag-biyahe pati quarantine dahil sa pandemic, hindi na natuloy."
Added Nievarez: "Sa Olympics kasi, puro open weight category. At dahil hindi naman kalakihan tayong mga Filipino at mostly lightweight, kailangan talaga na na-develop yun endurance. Kailangan mag-gain pa ng muscle para makasabay sa mga kalaban. Lahat yun ma-achieve sa training camps."
"Pero sobrang laking tulong sa akin yung mga nakita ko sa laban sa Tokyo dahil mas alam ko na kung ano ang kulang sa akin. Nakita ko ang mga kailangan ko ma-improve bago susunod na mga competitions , gaya ng Asian Games, SEA Games at 2024 Paris Olympics."

Now on his sixth year with the national team, Nievarez had nothing but praises for the PSC, headed by Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez: Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), led by President Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino; and Philippine Rowing Association (PRA), headed by President Patrick Gregorio.
"Para sa akin, okay na po yung suporta nila sa aming mg atleta. Meron kaming psychologist, meron nutritionist at iba pang support staff. Kung may kailangan man suguro ngayon is a gym instructor, na naka-focus sa physical conditioning. Sa coaching techniques sa rowing, nandyan na sina Coach Nicanor Jasmin at Coach Icon Fornea. Kaya siguro, yun may sariling coach kami sa gym."
"Si Sir Pato (Gregorio), madami na talaga siya naitulong simula maging presidente ng rowing. Talagang sobrang nagbago ang rowing sa Pilipinas. Sobrang sipag po niya, lalo sa paghanap ng mga sponsors na makatututlong sa mga atleta."
Nievarez who started rowing at the age of 15, agreed with the PRA's grassroots development program to discover young and talented athletes.
"Sa ngayon, meron na pong program si Sir Pato sa Laguna at sa Ternate, Cavite. Inumpisahan na po na magtayo ng training hub para magkaroon ng grassroots program. Si Kuya Benjie (Tolentino) ang magha-handle ng mga baguhan sa Ternate."
Asked for his advise to his fellow athletes, Nievarez said: "Do your best always and go for the gold."

With reports from Gab Ferreras

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