Tokyo 2020: Filipina Olympian Laments Lack Of Skateboarding Facilities In Home Country

The Philippines’ run at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is one of the most inspiring storylines to come out.

Having an athlete finish on the podium has been a struggle for the Filipinos since their debut at the Games in 1924, but they made the most out of it this year.

The island nation is poised for its best-ever finish at the quadrennial event with four medals, featuring the country’s very first gold medal that came off the shoulders of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz.

They also sought to make history at the Tokyo Olympics with the maiden debut of skateboarding.

Margielyn Didal represented the Philippines in the women’s skateboarding event and made an absolutely stunning run that saw her reach the finals.

She finished seventh out of eight competitors as an all-teen lineup took the podium with 13-year-olds Momiji Nishiya of the host country and Rayssa Leal of Brazil won gold and silver respectively, while 16-year-old Funa Nakayama rounded out the podium.

However, Didal also made headlines as her cool and light-hearted demeanor showed the world what sports truly meant.

The International Business Times was able to speak with the 22-year-old Filipina and her coach during a virtual media press conference and asked about her training.

Due to the major lack of infrastructure to support training athletes in the country, Didal and her team worked with a private sponsor to build a skatepark that fits her needs.

“When we were in Cebu, I’m super thankful that we worked with Red Bull Philippines [to] help us build a skatepark [in Soul Sierra, Cebu],” Didal recounted. “Imagine, without that park … let’s just say that I can’t do any [proper] training without that park.”

Funded by energy drink maker Red Bull in partnership with the National Skateboarding Association, the private skatepark designed by Didal was completed in the earlier part of this year as they hoped to get her ready for the rescheduled 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Red Bull gave a tour of the facility along with some highlights of Didal and other local skateboarders trying out the place.

Didal laments the country’s lack of sufficient training facilities for athletes such as her, especially for skateboarders.

“There’s no other place available yet where I can train here locally. We don’t have the proper facilities,” she said.

With their stellar showing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the hope now among citizens is that the country’s local governments will push for investing in the training of their athletes.