Ardina sets record straight on Olympic uniform debacle
MANILA, Philippines – If you think the saga of Dottie Ardina at the Olympics is over, think again.
Following the Paris Games, the Filipina golfer has shed light on the events that led to the non-issuance of their uniforms, which resulted in a viral video capturing her frustration.
In her latest Facebook post, Ardina expressed deep gratitude to those who supported her and fellow golfer Bianca Pagdanganan. Despite falling short in their medal quest, she emphasized their relentless fight until the very end.
"It’s an immense honor to represent the Philippines," Ardina said in Filipino.
However, she questioned why she was being criticized for expressing her frustration over the uniform issue in a video posted before Day 3 of the women’s golf competition. The video, shared by her mother, went viral, drawing mixed reactions but largely supporting Ardina and condemning those responsible for the situation.
“Hindi po ako kaagad nag-salita tungkol dito dahil nasa kalagitnaan ako ng laro. Pero parang lalo pong lumalakas ang usap-usapan na nagdulot ng negatibong reaksyon sa mga nagpapatakbo at namamahala ng Philippine women's golf team. Napagsabihan pa po ako na alisin ang video na may kasamang pagsisi pa galing sa akin na ang pagsasalita ko ay gumawa ng napakalaking issue. Hind po ito tinanggal ng mommy ko. Ngayon po ay minarapat ko nang magsalita ng kaunti tungkol dito,” Ardina disclosed.
She clarified that her statements are based on her personal experience. “Hindi ko po naisip na ito ay lalaki ng ganito at magiging national issue. Bago pa ito lumaki lalo, gusto ko sanang linawin ang mga ilang bagay na lumabas sa official statements ng POC (Philippine Olympic Committee) at NGAP (National Golf Association of the Philippines),” she added.
The timeline
Ardina explained that the final tournament list for Olympic golf was released on June 25. However, the POC sent her the uniform size forms on June 13, along with instructions on obtaining an athlete visa exemption. While competing in the LPGA tournaments in the US, she inquired about the uniforms and golf bag from the NGAP on July 28. She was informed that the golf bag would be brought along and the uniforms would be sent directly to Paris with an estimated arrival of July 31, which caused her anxiety with the competition starting on Aug. 7.
“What if the sizes were wrong or the fit wasn’t right?” she questioned.
Despite bringing plain shirts as a backup, the uniforms had still not arrived when she landed in Paris on August 2. On August 4, during the tournament registration, IOC officials reprimanded them for not wearing the required uniforms.
“Nagdahilan na lang po ako na hindi pa dumadating. Aug. 4 ng hapon, dumating na din sa wakas ang uniforms pero ito ay mga track suits lang. Nagkatotoo ang ikinakaba ko at walang dumating na competition shirts,” Ardina recounted.
She continued, “May paparating silang pamalit, na malamang ang sinasabi nilang ‘sets of competition gear to be produced in Paris,’ sabi sa POC statement. Dalawang collared shirts lang na white and black na hindi talaga pang golf pero napilitan kong suotin sa practice round (Aug. 5 and 6) dahil kailangan na terno kami ng teammate ko.”
Ardina described the inadequacy of the replacements. “Ang mas pangit pa, MALI ang stamp ng logo na PHI dahil nasa ilalim ng collar at natatakpan ito. Walang nagawang tama. Bukod sa walang uniforms, WALA din pong na provide na golf balls, head covers, gloves at golf umbrella. Bags (locally made) at golf shoes lang ang nabigay sa amin. Mabuti po at may dala kaming sarili. Di ko maisip kung bakit walang budget para sa mga gear at equipment na yon,” she said.
She lamented, “Bakit parang ako pang binaligtad? (Why was I the one being blamed?)”
End result
The team ended up using their own plain shirts, and Ardina shared patches with her teammate to match their outfits as best as they could.
“At dahil hindi mag-kapareho lahat ang colors na dala namin, Aug. 6 ng gabi before tournament day, pumunta ako sa mall para bumili ng umbrella at 2 shirts at nagpabili din ang teammate ko para TERNO kami sa competition katulad ng ibang bansa at ayon na rin sa IOC rules,” she added.
The POC claimed that uniforms were provided and that athletes chose not to wear them, while the NGAP stated that replacement uniforms were on the way, but Ardina allegedly opted to purchase her own.
“Parang ako pa ngayon ang dahilan kung bakit kami hindi naka uniforms ng maayos?” she questioned.
She reiterated that the uniforms provided did not fit, and the flag logos were incorrectly placed.
“Uulitin ko po, walang dumating na uniporme at ang binili sa Paris ay hindi kasya sa amin PAREHO at ang PHI logo ay nasa ilalim ng collar. Pagkatapos kumalat ang video ko sa social media, May pinapasuot sa amin nung last day at nakatahi na ang flag..pero tulad ng naunang binili, isa lang sa amin nagkasya dahil hindi naman nag bago ang size na binili para sa akin at magkaiba din ang gawa, kulay at design ng shirts.”
"Sinuot po ng teammate ko yung huling bigay at sinuot ko na lang po yung binili ko. Kahit ano pong mangyari, magkaiba talaga kami ng susuotin sa last day,” said Ardina.
She maintained that she didn’t choose to wear different uniforms or shirts, but she simply had no other option.
‘A shame’
“Nabanggit ko din po sa video ko na ‘nakakahiya’ dahil sobrang po talaga daming tao at hindi maiwasan mag tanong ang ibang players sa akin. ‘Your flag is peeling off’ o ‘you did not get uniforms?’ ‘Thats a lot of tapes. They did not provide you head covers?” Hindi ko na po alam ang isasgot ko. Ang competition po ay LIVE din on tv at online streaming world wide! Nakakalungkot dahil nakita pa ang flag natutuklap,” Ardina continued.
Regarding the club head covers, Ardina said they were again reprimanded by an IOC official during a practice round.
“Bawal daw po kasi na gamitin ang may company golf brands kaya po napiltan kami lagyan ng duct tape na itim ang head covers. Lahat ng kalaro namin dito, national flag ang design ng head covers. Ang ganda sana ng cover namin kung Philippine flag ang design,” she said.
“Nang tanungin kung bakit di nagawa yung covers o bakit disapproved ng IOC ang unang design ng uniforms na may tamang logos, ang sagot nila sa amin ay mahirap daw mag comply sa rules ng IOC kaya nagkamali sa uniforms at di nila alam na iba na ang rules para sa head covers. Tanggap ko na lang po iyon. Pero kami lang po ang nag iisang team sa buong Olympics na walang uniforms. Tayo lang ang nahirapan sa rules,” she added sarcastically.
‘Future athletes deserve better’
Ardina maintained that her intention was not to cause trouble but to ensure that future athletes have a better experience.
“Sana lang ay hindi na po maulit ang mga nangyari. Sana magbago ang patakbo. Sana magkaroon ng maayos na COMMUNICATION sa pagitan ng mga officials na naka assign at sa mga atleta na maglalaro sa susunod na Olympics. Sana wala ng Philippine team at atletang Pilipino ang magmukhang busabos at kawawa,” she said.
She concluded, “Apat na taon po itong dapat napaghandaan pero ganito pa ang nangyari. Wala pong ginastos para sa akin ang POC at NGAP para mag qualify at para maghanda kami sa Olympics. Sarili ko at ng sponsors ko ang gastos at akin ang hirap at pagod para maghanda at mag qualify. Dumating na lang po kaming Olympians na at handang lumaban para sa bayan. Dadalawa na nga lang po kami sa golf, dalawanpu't dalawa sa lahat ng sports, hindi pa kami naasikaso ng maayos.”
Ardina, who ultimately finished tied for 13th, expressed her gratitude for the support and the honor of representing the Philippines.
“Ang pag compete sa Olympics ay napaka laking karangalan na ipakita ang HUSAY ng Pinoy at representa ang bandila ng Pilipinas sa buong mundo sa larangan ng golf. Ako po ay nagdarasal at umaasa na sana ay lubusan naming nagampanan namin ito,” she added.
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