Maxine Esteban switched federations from the Philippines to Cote d'Ivoire.
There are now at least seven Filipinos heading to the Paris Olympics, but only six will be bearing the Philippine flag.
Fencer Maxine Esteban has officially qualified for the 2024 Summer Games after competing in the senior women's foil event of the 2024 Absolute Fencing Gear FIE Foil Grand Prix in Washington, D.C. in the United States.
The world number 37 women's foil athlete beat Kim Hyunjin of South Korea in the Table of 128, 15-13. However, she fell to Adeline Senic of Slovakia, 15-9 in the Table of 64.
Esteban finished tied for 83rd place, but it was enough to secure the quota allotted for the African zone.
"This journey is truly a testimony of God’s faithfulness. Today, I am in awe of His love for me and I am grateful He has carried me through. For all the second chances, opened windows, miraculous feats, and generous provisions, thank you Heavenly Father," Esteban wrote on Facebook.
"The significance of the Olympic stage, for an OLY, is not the event. It is what it symbolizes… unwavering passion and discipline. May I inspire those who dream and have at one point almost given up, to persist amidst storms and rough waters," she added.
While she's bearing the flag of Cote d'Ivoire, Esteban didn't forget to acknowledge her home country of the Philippines.
"This is for Cote d’Ivoire, the country that embraced me, believed in me and supported me all the way. And for the Philippines, the country my heart will always beat proud. 🇨🇮??🇵🇭" Esteban posted.
Esteban made headlines last year when she switched federations, after what she claimed was an “unfair and unjust” treatment by the Philippine Fencing Association (PFA).
She claimed she was removed from the national team roster without notice, while recovering from an ACL injury.
“I did not give up on my country, I gave up on the federation because they gave up on me first," Esteban told One PH's Power & Play. “The reality is, sobra akong nabastos because I was removed from the national team roster without even being given the courtesy of a written nor a face-to-face notice and I was a member of the national team for eight years with good standing.”
[ALSO READ: 'Sobra akong nabastos': Maxine Esteban explains final straw in decision to transfer to Ivory Coast]
Meanwhile, Filipina fencer Samantha Catantan finished 75th after losing to Maria Teresa Diaz of Spain, 15-12, in the Table of 64.
Esteban will be seeing at least six more Filipinos in Paris: Boxers Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, and Aira Villegas, along with pole vaulter EJ Obiena, as well as gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan.
[ALSO READ: LIST: Filipino athletes qualified for Paris 2024 Olympics]