Lacuna closes out stint in 200m

SINGAPORE – Tanker Jessie Lacuna closes out the Philippines’ campaign in the first Youth Olympic Games here as he vies in the 200m fly at the Singapore Sports School today.

Though the 3-on-3 basketball team will still play in the consolation round, Lacuna will formally wrap up the country’s quest for a medal, hoping against hope to clinch a berth in the finals among the 23 aspirants.

Lacuna, the 16-year-old find from Bulacan, swam in his second event yesterday, finishing 19th in a field of 54 in the 100m free. He kicked off his bid in the 200m free Monday, making it to the finals but finishing last in the eight-man field.

He was actually scheduled to see action in the 400m free but decided to withdraw to concentrate on the 200m free event.

In the 100m free, Lacuna clocked 52.10 seconds, turning in a 25.35-second clocking in the first 25 meters before finishing in 26.75.

Also yesterday, swimmer Jasmine Alkhaldi missed the semifinal of the 50m free, finishing 17th in 27.10 seconds, just 0.03 second behind the last qualifier.

The pair of losses in the pool yesterday and the early ouster of taekwondo jin Kirk Barbosa, netter Jeson Patrombon, weightlifter Patricia Llena and the 3-on-3 team marked the lean nine-man RP contingent’s fruitless campaign right in the first five days of the two-week long meet among 14-18 year-old athletes.

RP chief of mission Mark Joseph, however, said the YOG is not just about winning or losing but it is also about adopting and living by the Olympic values and at the same time educating, influencing and inspiring the young athletes to play an active role in their respective communities.

“It’s not just about competition. In fact, the YOG is not so concerned about the medals and does not keep tally of the rankings,” said Joseph. “It would be the other Olympic challenges for all of the YOG athletes, including the culture and education program composed of chat with former champions, discovery activities, the world culture village, the Olympic arts, community projects, island adventure and exploration journey.

“There are team and solidarity building activities where youth Olympic values are embodied. Excellence, friendship, respect, community and expression are the IOC customs used by the YOG as an investment in their future.

“It’s not about winning or glory but about telling their own story and being role models also,” Joseph said.