Filipina weightlifting star Vanessa Sarno. File photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News.

Vanessa Sarno had an unfortunate fate in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

The Filipina weightlifting star quickly fell short in her Olympic debut as she failed to lift in the snatch round of the women's 71kg, and this eventually resulted in her getting a DNF (did not finish) after Sarno did not lift in the clean and jerk.

READ: Vanessa Sarno bows out early after 3 no-lifts

But aside from the physical toll that her event demands, the 20-year-old, Bohol native revealed that it was actually the mental and emotional side of things that factored in her surprising early exit.

"Hindi naman po siya sa pressure. More on frustration po sa lahat ng mga tao na nasa paligid namin kasi sobrang toxic ng environment," she told Filipino reporters in Paris.

"Ang pangit po ng environment while preparing for Olympics kaya aminado po ako na naging mahina po yung mentality ko pagdating sa mga tao na nasa paligid ko na sobrang toxic," she continued.

Sarno revealed that certain people in their camp made her uncomfortable, and she shared that they were among the biggest reasons why her mental state was affected. 

"Ramdam ko na ayaw nila na nandoon ako, na gusto nila ma-down ako. Sobrang hirap kapag ganun po yung nasa paligid. Kailangan po talaga na malakas yung mentality," said Vanessa. 

Another thing to be noted, according to Sarno, was how her coach Richard 'Pep' Agosto was previously prohibited from serving his responsibilities to the young Filipina. 

"Yung coach na kasama ako sa Metz na training, hindi po si coach Pep which is siya po yung gumagabay po sa akin, naga-guide at nag-titiwala, at nagpu-push na kaya ko mag-Olympics," she said.

"Nung nawala na po ako kami Manila, sobrang hirap po para sakin kasi mahina yung mentality ko. Gustong gusto ko na po sumuko dahil sa sobrang toxic ng environment na nandoon. Hindi ko na po kinaya yung mga tao."

"Siya po yung grassroots coach ko. Hindi po natin mababawi na kanya po ako nanggaling. Kasi po sa dami ng nangyari, sa lahat ng injuries, pag nagkaka-injury ako, pag wala siya, hindi ako nagpo-podium. parang wala rin ako sa kanila."

Agosto, who was eventually sent to their camp late in their build-up after Sarno requested the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) to do so, then went on to air his side of things. 

"Nung nag qualify na siya sa Olympics, hindi na ako pwede pumunta sa kanya kasi hindi ako part of the Olympic coaches," revealed Coach Pep. 

"Kaya ako pina-sunod sa Germany kasi kitang kita na hindi na okay yung bata. Pero honestly, 'di ako welcome dun. 'Di ako officially part ng team. Doon pa lang sa Manila, minake sure na nilang hindi ako kasama."

"Then never ako kinausap ng mga kasama kong coaches. Nagkikita kami sa training, pero 'di kami nag usap."

"Sumunod ako dito pero sugal na 'to eh. Alam ko tatanggalin na ako sa National Team. Banned na raw ako sa weightlifting. If ma ba-ban ako for supporting my athlete, so be it. At least, pinakita ko yung support ko sa athlete ko," he continued.

While not naming names, Sarno said how certain people simply didn't want Agosto to come with her to Paris.

""Nung all throughout ng qualifying journey ko, nangugulo sila uli nung sure na nakapag-qualify ako. Ang lumalabas po kasi, ayaw nila na si Coach Pep yung kasama ko sa Olympics."

Sarno then lamented this series of events, especially since it was just last year when she lifted 105 kg to set a new Southeast Asian Games record.

"Kayang kaya ko po yun kahit sa Manila nung nandun po ako sa training. Nanghihinayang lang po ako. Nanghihingi po ako ng patawad sa lahat ng na-disappoint ko na mga tao dahil nagpadala ako sa mga tao na nagdown sa akin," she expressed. "Nagpadala ako sa mga tao na minemental ako."

READ: Sarno's family still proud of her Olympic journey despite early exit

Agosto also vouched for the explanation that Sarno gave. 

"Ginawa lahat ng bata. Pero siguro yung sa environment at sa training [ang naka apekto.] Tinrabaho ko yan eh, naging father figure ako sa kanya. Pero kitang kita yung pressure sa kanya eh," he said.

Moving forward, Sarno could only ask for forgiveness and seek more support as she looks to bounce back in the Los Angeles Games four years from now. 

"Sa lahat po ng sumusuporta po sa akin, sana patuloy niyo pa rin ako suportahan at abangan niyo po ako sa susunod na Olympics," she said. — With Cignal TV/POC Media

RELATED VIDEO: