THIS may not be the story and finish that any racer would want.
Filipino hurdler John Cabang had another shot to run in the semifinals but an injury led him to withdraw from the men's 110-meter repechage of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
It may be heartbreaking for him not to start the race, but Cabang now looks ahead and focuses on the positive side.
"I did not race, but I am an Olympian for sure. Once an Olympian forever an Olympian, that's the main thing," Cabang said in an interview with The Manila Times via Google Meet.
"Now I have the experience, how to handle those types of things. It pains to compete nonstop in two years, getting those points, maybe my body told me that you have to stop, now we have the experience, and now I am an Olympian," he added.
Three weeks before his debut in the Paris Games, Cabang suffered from plantar fasciitis injury where there is pain in his foot whenever he steps.
But his unbreakable spirit led him to race in the qualifying round, and finished sixth in Heat 1 with a time of 13.66 seconds, last August 4.
"I was nervous, but since I was feeling so much pain, I knew that I could not run at 100 percent. Luckily I was able to finish the race," he said.
Cabang fell short to match his personal and national record of 13.37 seconds. If he was able to pull the same time in the Olympic race, there is a possibility that he will advance in the semifinals.
Relegated to the repechage, Cabang looks forward to blitzing once more and looking to book his ticket to secure a slot for the next round.
However, he experienced pain in his left adductor and hip flexor just the day before his competition.
With the hard-hitting reality that he could not start his race last August 6, Cabang posted on his Instagram about his frustration.
"I am so sorry. I'm not gonna be able to run due to an injury," he said in a post.
Ending his Paris stint earlier than he expected, Cabang said that he looks forward and will be healthier in his next competitions, Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games 2024, and SEA Games 2025.
"I still don't believe it (now that I am an Olympian), I will say next year, I will see next year how big is my name," the hungry for a comeback Cabang said.
Instead of dwelling, Cabang looks at the brighter side and shared that he will forever treasure representing the Philippines in the Olympic games.
"It was an experience in the opening ceremony, we had the flag with us, I feel a lot of support from the Philippines. The people supported me a lot, and that's kind of a family thing," he said while smiling.
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