MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine campaign at the Paris Olympics remains strong and steadfast despite Eumir Felix Marcial's emotional exit in men's boxing on Tuesday night.

"Full speed ahead," said Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino on Wednesday. "The campaign for medals, especially gold, is hot on track." Tolentino described MArcial's setback as an "extremely emotional loss" considering the sacrifice and dedication the bronze medalist in Tokyo 2020 poured for Paris.

"I know how painful it is for Eumir to bear the loss," Tolentino said. "We feel his disappointment and frustration, but it's not the end all for him." "But if we look at the tangibles, the light heavyweight is not for Eumir," he said. "He's small for the weight class, while the other boxers are bigger and heftier." Marcial's bronze in Tokyo was at middleweight, but the division was scrapped for these Olympics. TMT