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Tag: 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

  • Tim Cone says leading Gilas Pilipinas to the Olympics would be the defining legacy of his career

    Tim Cone says leading Gilas Pilipinas to the Olympics would be the defining legacy of his career

    For Tim Cone, a record-breaking coaching career will only feel complete if he can lead Gilas Pilipinas back to the Olympic Games.

     

    Already regarded as the most accomplished coach in Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) history, Cone has built a legacy few can match. Yet despite winning multiple championships and rewriting the league’s record books, the veteran mentor believes his greatest achievement still lies ahead.

     

    Since taking over the Alaska Air Force in 1989, Cone has established himself as one of the winningest coaches in Asian basketball. The American tactician has captured a record 26 PBA championships, including two elusive Grand Slam titles, while earning five PBA Coach of the Year awards. He also became the first coach in league history to surpass the 1,000-win mark, cementing his place among Philippine basketball’s all-time greats.

     

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    However, as he enters the latter stages of his coaching career, Cone revealed that his focus has shifted beyond collecting domestic titles. Instead, he hopes to leave behind a lasting legacy by guiding Gilas Pilipinas back to the sport’s biggest stage—the Olympic Games.

     

    “The championships are getting more and more special the older I get, because I know that’s not an infinite number anymore. Before, when I was 35 or 40, I didn’t think about the end. But I think about the end more often these days. So every one now is really special, and that’s why I’m also enjoying the Gilas team. It’s just as hard, if not harder, than these Game 7s,” Cone said during an interview with The GAME.

     

    The 68-year-old admitted that representing the Philippines has given him a renewed sense of purpose, with international success now outweighing even the thrill of winning PBA championships.

     

    “Well, I’d like to go to the World Cup, that’s for darn sure. And even better if we go to the Olympics. I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to do that, but that’s really the legacy I would like to leave more than anything else,” he added.

    Cone has already brought Gilas close to achieving one of those goals. In 2024, he steered the national team to the semifinals of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Riga, Latvia, raising hopes that the Philippines could end its decades-long Olympic basketball drought.

     

    The country has not qualified for the Olympic men’s basketball tournament since the 1972 Munich Games, making an Olympic berth one of the most coveted achievements in Philippine basketball.

    The road ahead, however, remains challenging.

     

    Gilas Pilipinas enters the next phase of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers after finishing third in Group A with a 2-4 record. Consecutive defeats to New Zealand and Australia in the final window of the first round highlighted the level of competition awaiting the Filipinos as they pursue another World Cup appearance.

     

    Despite the setback, Cone remains committed to elevating the national team and believes that international success would eclipse any personal milestone he has already achieved.

     

    “You know, the championships are great and hopefully they will stand the test of time, but records are made to be broken. But the idea of taking Gilas, the national team, to another level is what we are really working for, and that’s what I would like to leave behind,” Cone said.

     

    One reason for his optimism is the emergence of a new generation of Filipino big men capable of competing against the world’s best.

     

    Under Cone’s watch, Gilas has benefited from the development of towering frontcourt players such as Kai Sotto, June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, AJ Edu, and Quentin Millora-Brown. Their size and versatility have helped narrow a longstanding gap between the Philippines and elite basketball nations.

     

    “It’s just hard to imagine 10, 15, or 20 years ago that we would ever have anything like that. Size has always been our bugaboo through the years. We have always been too small. People would ask why we even play basketball when we should be playing other sports,” Cone said.

     

    “But suddenly, we have guys that can compete on the world stage in terms of size and talent. That’s so unique and that’s an amazing statement for Philippine basketball. We have always been talented in terms of skill and athleticism. It’s only the size that held us back.”

     

    With one of the most decorated coaching careers in PBA history already secured, Cone now has his sights set on a prize that has eluded generations of Philippine basketball figures. If he can guide Gilas Pilipinas back to the Olympic Games for the first time in more than five decades, it would stand as the defining achievement of an already legendary career.

     

     

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  • Hall of Fame inductee Onyok Velasco believes Olympic boxing gold is within Philippines’ reach

    Hall of Fame inductee Onyok Velasco believes Olympic boxing gold is within Philippines’ reach

    After the Philippines first stepped onto the Olympic stage, boxing remains the sport that has carried much of the country’s medal hopes — and Onyok Velasco believes the long-awaited gold breakthrough is within reach.

     

    Since the country’s Olympic debut in 1924, the Philippines has collected 18 medals in the competition, with 10 of those coming from Filipino boxers. Among the fighters who came closest to delivering the country’s first boxing gold was Velasco himself during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

     

    At just 22 years old, Velasco entered the light flyweight final with history within reach. Standing across from him was Bulgaria’s Daniel Petrov, but after the final bell, the judges awarded the bout to Petrov, 19-6, leaving Velasco with a silver medal.

     

    While many questioned the result, the scoreboard officially recorded Velasco as a silver medalist — a finish that still stands as one of the Philippines’ most memorable Olympic boxing performances.

     

    Decades later, Velasco’s impact on Philippine sports was recognized when he was inducted into the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame as part of the “Magnificent Seven.” He was joined by his brother Roel Velasco, who captured bronze in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

     

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    The “Magnificent Seven” was also included Paralympic bronze medalist Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta, basketball great Mon Fernandez, tennis standout Cecil Mamiit, multi-sport athlete Bea Lucero-Lhuillier, athletics legend Isidro Del Prado, and the late Eduardo Pacheco of basketball and football.

     

    For Velasco, the missed opportunity in 1996 is no longer a source of regret. Instead, he sees it as a sign that the country’s first Olympic boxing gold is a goal the current generation can finally achieve.

     

    The Philippines has continued to build its boxing legacy after Velasco’s run. At the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, three Filipino boxers reached the podium, with Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam winning silver medals and Eumir Marcial earning bronze.

     

    The momentum continued at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Petecio secured another bronze medal alongside fellow boxer Aira Villegas.

     

    With the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 approaching, Velasco remains convinced that the breakthrough moment for Philippine boxing is coming.

     

    “Sa totoo lang talaga, magkakaroon tayo ng Olympic (gold) sa boxing. Hindi ko lang alam kung itong Olympics, basta magkakaron din,” Velasco said.

     

    The former Olympian also reminded the country’s fighters to focus on the opponent rather than outside distractions when chasing victory on the biggest stage.

     

    “Wag niyo isipin yung mga officiating, isipin niyo talunin yung kalaban niyo. Kumbaga sa laban, parang wala nang bukas. Huwag niyo na isipin yung sunod na araw. Pati yung unang laban mo. Kasi pag natalo ka, wala na eh,” the silver medalist olympian said.

     

    Looking back at his own journey, Velasco expressed gratitude for being included among the country’s sporting legends.

     

    “Talagang napakasaya karena napasama po ako dito sa Hall of Fame. Di ko naman akalain na makasama po ako dito. Talagang nagulat ako na napasama ako,” Velasco said.

     

    After leaving his mark on Philippine boxing history, Velasco now shifts his focus to the athletes who continue the mission he started — bringing home the country’s first Olympic boxing gold.

     

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  • EJ Obiena shifts training base to Greece, begins new chapter toward LA 2028 Olympics

    EJ Obiena shifts training base to Greece, begins new chapter toward LA 2028 Olympics

    Filipino pole vault star Ernest John “EJ” Obiena continues to solidify his place among the world’s elite in athletics, further strengthening a legacy that has already made him one of the greatest athletes the Philippines has produced.

     

    At just 30 years old, Obiena owns an extensive international résumé highlighted by multiple podium finishes on the global stage, consistent Diamond League performances, and a career-high ranking as World No. 2 in men’s pole vault. His achievements have not only elevated Philippine athletics but have also established him as one of Asia’s premier competitors in the discipline.

     

    Now, Obiena is entering a pivotal new phase in his career as he relocates his training base to Athens, Greece—a strategic move aimed at refining his preparation for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The decision also places him in closer proximity to top-level competition, including current World No. 2 Emmanuel Karalis, with whom he will share training environments under the guidance of coach Marcin Szczepański.

     

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    For Obiena, the shift represents both a competitive and developmental opportunity as he seeks to push his limits further in pursuit of Olympic glory.

     

    “Training with Emmanuel and his group is definitely a big thing. We have a bunch of different vaulters there, different strengths and weaknesses. I’m not really great at the gym, so I’m not the strongest athlete out there. Having someone that’s actually pretty good and strong pulls me to that direction. Training with someone has always been helpful. That’s how I got to World No. 2,” Obiena said in a media interaction.

     

    The move to Greece followed a brief 10-day training stint in Athens, during which Obiena evaluated his long-term direction before ultimately deciding to establish the country as his new base. The transition also marks the end of a highly successful 12-year coaching partnership with legendary Italian mentor Vitaly Petrov, under whom Obiena developed into a world-class pole vaulter.

    Petrov played a central role in shaping Obiena’s career, guiding him from a promising prospect into a consistent international medal contender. Under his mentorship, Obiena became the Asian champion, a World Championships medalist, an Olympic finalist, and notably, the first Asian athlete to clear the elite six-meter mark in pole vault history.

     

    Reflecting on their long-standing partnership, Obiena expressed deep gratitude for the impact Petrov had on both his athletic development and personal growth.

     

    “The more days that came, the more positive I felt about the decision I made. Vitaly has been more than just a coach for me. He’s been a mentor. Probably a second father or grandfather you can say. I owe the guy a lot. I really respect him. I love him,” he added.

     

    He further credited Petrov for expanding his ambitions beyond what he initially envisioned when he first began training in Formia, Italy.

     

    “I wouldn’t be here. My vision when I went to Formia the first year was to jump over five meters outdoors. Maybe at the end of my career, jump 5.20m. That was my vision. This guy, not knowing me, had a bigger vision for my career,” Obiena continued.

     

    Now fully focused on the next chapter, Obiena is driven by one remaining goal that continues to motivate his pursuit of excellence on the global stage: an Olympic medal at the Los Angeles 2028 Games—the one major accolade still missing from his decorated career.

     

    “That’s the medal I am missing. That’s the medal I want to get,” he concluded.

     

    Obiena is expected to continue his competitive campaign on the Diamond League circuit, with his next appearance scheduled in Doha, where he will look to maintain form and momentum as he builds toward the next Olympic cycle.

     

     

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  • IOC sets groundbreaking rule limiting Olympic women’s events to biological females

    IOC sets groundbreaking rule limiting Olympic women’s events to biological females

    The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has taken a decisive step to reshape the landscape of women’s Olympic competition. 


    On Thursday, the organization unveiled a new eligibility policy that limits participation in female events to biological females, effectively excluding transgender women athletes and many with certain differences in sexual development (DSD).

     

    The move comes ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and signals a shift toward uniformity in a field long marked by fragmented rules. 

     

    “At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat… it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category. In addition, in some sports it would simply not be safe,” said IOC President Kirsty Coventry.

     

    Central to the new regulation is a science-based screening process that uses the SRY gene, a marker of male sex development as a definitive measure. According to the IOC, “the presence of the SRY gene is fixed throughout life and represents highly accurate evidence that an athlete has experienced male sex development.” 

     

    Only athletes with rare conditions such as Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS), who do not gain a performance advantage from testosterone, are eligible as exceptions.

     

    This marks a significant policy reversal for the IOC. Previously, the organization left gender eligibility to international federations, declining to implement a universal standard. 

     

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    The announcement also signals the return of formal gender verification for Olympic competition, a practice that had fallen out of use due to ethical and scientific concerns. The 18-month consultation period preceding the policy sought to balance inclusion, safety, and competitive integrity, creating what the IOC calls a “universal rule” for female elite sport.

     

    The timing underscores the stakes that no transgender women competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics, though Laurel Hubbard competed in Tokyo 2021. The IOC notes that it remains unclear how many athletes might be affected at the Olympic level under the new policy, but the move is designed to ensure that the female category remains fair and scientifically grounded.

     

    “With the rare exception of athletes with a diagnosis of Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS) or other rare differences/disorders in sex development (DSDs) who do not benefit from the anabolic and/or performance-enhancing effects of testosterone, no athlete with an SRY-positive screen is eligible for competition in the female category at an IOC event,” the statement added.

     

    By codifying these rules, the IOC is not only aiming to protect fairness in competition but also to send a clear message about the integrity and safety of female Olympic sport as the world turns its attention to Los Angeles in 2028.

     

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  • Kevin Durant eyes return for Team USA at 2028 Olympics

    Kevin Durant eyes return for Team USA at 2028 Olympics

    For many basketball legends, the Olympics serve as a farewell stage. For Kevin Durant, it might be another proving ground.

     

    The four-time Olympic gold medalist has his sights set on the 2028 Los Angeles Games. By then, Durant will be 39 years old, an age when most players are long retired or reduced to ceremonial roles. But if the team calls, he is open to giving it another shot at his fifth Olympic gold medal.

     

    “Hell yeah, I want to play,” Durant said. “I would love to, but I’ve got to stay on top of my game. I’m not expecting, I want to produce on the floor and make Grant and whoever is making the decisions, want to put me on the team. I don’t want — not just for seniority. I want to still prove I can help the team win.”

     

    Durant’s mindset reflects the same competitive edge that made him one of the most awarded players in Olympic history. 

     

    His international track record includes pivotal performances in London, Rio, Tokyo, and Paris, where his scoring punch repeatedly bailed out Team USA in tight moments. 

     

    Throughout the years the 2x NBA champion has carved himself as Team USA’s most reliable scorer, as he became the all-time leading scorer in team history edging out Carmelo Anthony who previously held the record. 

     

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    During the 2024 Paris Olympics, Durant showcased his scoring prowess dropping 21 points against Serbia, starting 8/8 from the field in the first half of the 110-84 rout. 

     

    He then continued to average 13.8 points per game during the tournament as he averaged 18.5 points per game in all Olympic appearances for the red, white, and blue, which is good for second in points per game average in Team USA history. 

     

    Even amid speculation that the 2024 Paris Games would mark a “last dance” for veterans like Durant, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry, Durant denied the narrative.

     

    “You guys, the media, have projected that,” Durant said recently. “That narrative, where did the last dance thing come from? I didn’t say I wasn’t playing. LeBron said he wasn’t. You didn’t hear that from me or Steph.”

     

    While Curry, who is turning 38 years old this March, faces an uncertain future in international play and James, at 41 years old, has already ruled himself out, Durant is keeping the door wide open. His motivation goes beyond medal counts, it’s also about defending the evolving identity of American basketball.

     

    In recent years, the global gap has narrowed. Durant, however, bristles at the growing narrative that European development systems have surpassed American basketball culture.

     

    “I just don’t like the talk around the USA versus European style of how you approach the game,” Durant said. “All I hear is, ‘AAU is destroying the game; the Euros do it right while the Americans do it wrong.’”

     

    The 2028 Olympics could mark the symbolic passing of the torch to a new generation. But if Durant has his way, the torch won’t be handed over quietly. It will be defended one more time by a player still determined to prove that he belongs.

     

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