ROW, row, row your boat gently down to ... Paris.

Rowing for eight years, all streams led to Joanie Delgaco's Olympic dream as she becomes the first Filipina rower to qualify in the Olympics and guns for a historic win in the upcoming 2024 Paris Games.

The 26-year-old said she was grateful to compete in the prestigious sporting event and show the world what Filipinas are capable of doing.

"It is really an honor to qualify for the Olympics since not all athletes are able to compete in this higher [venue]," Delgaco told The Manila Times while taking a deep breath.

Sitting at the floater platform in La Mesa Dam in Quezon City, Delgaco was as calm as the waters when asked if there was any pressure in being the first Filipina to compete in the Olympics.

"I am not pressured; in fact, I am excited because I will compete with tougher opponents," the reserved and soft-spoken Delgaco said.

Delgaco finished fourth in Pool A of the women's single sculls in the World Rowing Asian and Oceanian Regatta in Korea last April 21.

She withstood the stone-cold temperature to secure an Olympic spot.

"When I got to the finish line, I cried. I really cried hard, and I was about to be carried in the emergency boat since I laid down and I was crying. It was a moment for me since my teammates and my coaches were really happy, and they were waiting for me at the finish line," she recalled.

She said it felt surreal after knowing she was the first female and the fourth rower to represent the country.

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