The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) congratulated Filipino-born fencer Maxine Esteban after she booked a ticket to the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France.
"We in the POC are very happy that Maxine, our athlete, has qualified for the Paris Olympics," POC president Abraham Tolentino said in a statement on Tuesday, March 19.
Esteban, who now plays for the Cote d’Ivoire or Ivory Coast, qualified for the Paris Games following her performance in the Fencing Gear FIE Foil Grand Prix held in Washington, United States.
While she finished in 83rd place in the competition, the 2021 Southeast Asian Games silver medalist earned enough points to snag the lone Olympic quota spot in Africa for women’s foil singles.
"She may not be representing Team Philippines, but we are so happy for her," said Tolentino who urged Esteban to do her best, and win the gold in the 33rd Olympics that will open on July 26.
In a social media post on Saturday, March 16, Esteban credited her spot in the Olympics to both Ivory Coast and the Philippines.
"This is for Cote d’Ivoire, the country that embraced me, believed in me, and supported me all the way, and for the Philippines, the country my heart will always beat proud," Esteban said.
