Sporting dreams come true for PH bets in Italy
For a couple of athletes who trace their roots to a tropical country, these are what winter dreams are made of.
They’re not just about wins and medals, but the chance to represent a culture.
Francis Ceccarelli, born in the Philippines and adopted by Italian parents, finally got his taste of action in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Bormio, Italy, and you couldn’t tell by his reaction after his first run in the giant slalom that he finished just 57th out of 81 participants.
“[I feel] so happy, so really emotional because it’s my first time,” Ceccarelli said in a video sent to a media group chat on Saturday.
“I’m so proud for my work and for my country,” he added.
Performing in front of his parents, whom he referred to as his biggest fans, Ceccarelli was headed into Run 2 at press time with a time of 1:27.36, 13.44 seconds off pacesetter Lucas Pinheiro of Brazil, who finished Run 1 in 1:13.92.
Ceccareli is one of two Philippine representatives to the Winter Olympics, the other being Tallulah Proulx, the 17-year-old alpine skier who is ready to embrace the chance of inspiring more Filipino women to aim for the Games.
“I just hope that more Filipinas would follow in my footsteps,” she told the Philippine media pool over the phone from Cortina, the venue of her event, which is a five-hour drive from Bormio.
“I also want to represent the Philippines positively,” added Proulx, who started skiing while on a family trip when she was just three years old.
The skier traces her ancestral roots to Eastern Samar. She was also set to perform two runs in the giant slalom.
On Wednesday, she will vie in a shorter slalom event, where speeds are expected to go faster.
Philippine delegation chef-de-mission Jezreel Apelar, secretary-general of the Philippine Ski and Snowboard Federation, said the two athletes left no stone unturned in getting ready to represent the country in the Winter Olympics.
“They’ve done everything to prepare for these Games,” said Apelar.
“It’s super exciting, of course, being here. It’s just overwhelming. It’s my first Games. It’s so cool,” said Tallulah, the first Filipino woman to compete in the Winter Olympics.
