Dottie Ardina speaks up about Paris uniform issue, hopes better for future athletes

Olympian Dottie Ardina took to social media to speak up about the uniform issue that went viral over the weekend while she was competing in the golf event of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

A video of her raising concerns about the lack of proper uniforms for the Philippines golfers on the Olympic stage became a topic of conversation recently.

She clarified some parts of the story from her experience and responded to some statements made by sports officials.

She also spoke about how she felt it was framed as her decision to go out and purchase apparel that she could use in the competition when the Olympian felt she had no choice in the matter.

"Nakalagay po sa statement ng POC na may provided daw po na uniforms at atleta daw nag-decide na huwag suotin.  Sinabi naman sa NGAP statement na may paparating na pamalit na uniforms pero nag-decide daw ako na bumili na lang ng iba. Parang ako pa ngayon ang dahilan kung bakit kami hindi naka uniforms ng maayos," she wrote in the caption of her post.

She stressed that their competition shirts did not arrive and the alternatives provided either did not fit or were not in compliance by the rules of International Olympic Committee (IOC).

"Uulitin ko po, walang dumating na uniporme at ang binili sa Paris ay hindi kasya sa amin PAREHO at ang PHI logo ay nasa ilalim ng collar. Pagkatapos kumalat ang video ko sa social media, May pinapasuot sa amin nung last day at nakatahi na ang flag, pero tulad ng naunang binili, isa lang sa amin nagkasya dahil hindi naman nag bago ang size na binili para sa akin at magkaiba din ang gawa, kulay at design ng shirts. Sinuot po ng teammate ko yung huling bigay at sinuot ko na lang po yung binili ko. Kahit ano pong mangyari, magakiba talaga kami ng susuotin sa last day. 

"Hindi ko pong piniling magsuot ng ibang uniforms o shirts WALA po talaga akong choice kung  hindi magsuot ng iba."

Ardina also expressed hope that future athletes will not have the same issues, and that things are run more smoothly and communication is made better in succeeding competitions.

"Sana lang ay hindi na po maulit ang mga nangyari. Sana magbago ang patakbo. Sana mas magaling sila sa susunod.  Sana magkaroon ng maayos na COMMUNICATION sa pagitan ng mga officials na naka-assign at sa mga atleta na maglalaro sa susunod na Olympics. Sana wala ng Philippine Team at atletang Pilipino ang magmukhang busabos at kawawa."

The National Golf Association of the Philippines and the Philippine Olympic Committee on Saturday cited logistical issues involving customs and the apparel supplier, leading to the athletes to have to "improvise". The POC called the issue regrettable but maintained that the country's sports officials "will always cater the best of our athletes."

Ardina finished at T13 as the Paris Olympics capped off.

—JKC/JMB, GMA Integrated News