MARATHON swimming, anyone? In the eyes of two-time Olympian Eric Buhain, marathon swimming presents the best opportunity for the Filipinos to excel again in the Olympics

Buhain, the “Poster Boy” of Philippine swimming in the 90s, believes it can be another source of pride and joy for the Filipinos in the wonderful world of sports.

“Next to weightlifting, which produced the country’s first Olympic gold medal, and boxing, which delivered eight Olympic medals, marathon swimming is another sport where Filipinos can excel,” said Buhain during the 114th episode of the “Usapang Sports on Air” by the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) last August 12.

Also known as open water swimming, the event is tailor-fit for the Filipinos who live in more than 7,600 islands surrounded by water.

“If you ask me, this is one sport which we can develop. Madami tayong magagaling na open water swimmers dahil napapaligiran nga tayo ng tubig,” added Buhain during the weekly public service program sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Games and Amusements Board (GAB).

“Kung languyan sa dagat, hindi maa-agrabyado tayong mga Pilipino,” explained Buhain, who represented the country in swimming in the 1988 Seoul Olympics and 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

“Sa Pilipinas, kapag 6-5 ka, mag-basketball ka na. Pero sa swimming, hindi gaano kailangan ang height. Sa open water swimming, ang kailangan natin tibay ng loob at sipag sa ensayo,” added Buhain, who made history by winning six gold medals during the “Miracle of 91” in the Southeast Asian Games in Manila.

Buhain, who was appointed by President Arroyo as chairman of the PSC in 2001 and the GAB in 2005, said the Filipinos can easily train long and hard anywhere in the country.

“Madami tayong lugar, na kung saan pwedeng mag-ensayo ang ating mga open water swimmers. Kaya marapat lang talaga na tutukan natin ito,”added Buhain, one of 10 newest inductees to the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame. \

The 51-year-old Buhain, who plans to run as congressman of the First District of Batangas in next year’s national elections, admitted he is now busy in promoting sports in the province.

One of his priority projects is help discover young and talented swimmers from Batangas, including open water swimmers.

“Personally, matagal na po naming ginagawa itong open water swimming sa amin sa Batangas. Madami kaming lugar sa aming distrito na kung saan pwedeng mag-ensayo ang mga kabataan. May mga swimming pools pa din kami na ginagawa, na kung saan nakapagtuturo kami sa paglangoy. Kapag natuto na, maaari nang sanayin sa open water swimming naman. Talagang hinahanap namin yun may interest sa ganung klaseng languyan.”

Buhain admitted marathon swimming is different from regular swimming.

“Pinag-aaralan ko yun time nun nanalo sa Olympics, kaya ko yun pace sa swimming pool pero hindi sa 10km open water. Ibang usapan yun 10km na tuloy tuloy. Nun panahon ko, kaya ko kahit kalahati nung 10km. Pero madami tayong kabataan ngayon na pwedeng bigyan ng pagkakataon sa open water,” stressed Buhain, who attended the weekly forum along with Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) Chairman Steve Hontiveros and Tokyo Olympians Jayson Valdez and Elreen Ando.

Buhain was actually not the only one who is pushing for the promotion of open water swimming in the country.

Betsy Medalla, an open water swimmer who made history as the first Asian to cross-swim in South Africa in 2014, also claimed the Filipinos have what it takes to become really good open water swimmers.

“I really believe the Filipinos can excel in open water swimming. We have the endurance and the skills to be reallygood long-distance swimmers,” said Medalla in an earlier interview with TOPS.

Two Filipino swimmers — Ron Jairus Villamor and Jose Gonzales – -represented the country in the 30th Southeast Asian Games in Subic.

Asked about the difference between open water swimming and regular swimming competitions, Medalla said:

“Open water swimming is very different from swimming pool competitions. In terms of preparations, mas matagal, mas mahirap ang open water swimming. We have to swim in the open water at least once a week para hindi mawala yun feel for the water. They have to be natural long-distance swimmers.”

“We should really have an open water swimming community because our race courses in the country are so much better. So we created open water challenges for our swimmer to develop their talents,” explained Medalla.

The 10km marathon swimming event, which takes place in open water environments, such as the sea, rivers and lakes, made its debut as an official Olympic event in Beijing in 2008.

In the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, marathon swimming was dominated by the Europeans with Florian Wellbrock of Germany and Ana Marcela Cunga of Brazil winning the gold medals in the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively.

Also making their presence felt were Kristof Rasovszky of Hungary and Marc-Antoine Olivier of France, who took the silver and bronze medals in men’s division; and Sharon van Rouwendaak of the Netherlands and Kareena Lee of Australia, who shone in the women’s category.