Chef de mission Jonvic Remulla, POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and secretary-general Atty. Wharton Chan

THIRTEEN Filipinos are technically going to the Paris Olympics with 12 more hoping to qualify for Team Philippines that is celebrating its 100th year participation in the Games.

Also, the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) has formalized negotiations with a month-long training camp in a world-class facility at Les Arenas Metz in La Moselle ahead of the July 26 to August 11.

“We have as of now qualified 13 athletes for Paris,” POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino told the First POC Journey to Olympic Briefing at the Milky Way Restaurant in Makati City on Friday.

Nine athletes are going to Paris by direct qualification—pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena, boxers Eumir Felix Marcial, Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas, weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, Erleen Ann Ando and John Febuar Ceniza, and gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan.

A fourth weightlifter, Rosegie Ramos, according to Tolentino, is technically qualified in women’s 49 kgs class despite winding up No. 11 in the world rankings after the Phuket qualifiers last month.

“A Belgian [Niña Sterckx] ranks No. 7 in Rosegie’s class, but she lacks the mandatory six qualifiers for Paris, and according to weightlifting’s international federation, Rosegie’s technically qualified,” said Tolentino, who was joined in the briefing by Chef de Mission to Paris, Cavite Governor nvic Remulla, and secretary-general Atty. Wharton Chan.

The 12th and 13th qualifiers, Tolentino said, are Kyla Sanchez and Jarrod Hatch, who are guaranteed berths in swimming
under the universality rule.

The potential qualifiers are Robyn Brown (athletics), Kurt Barbosa (taekwondo), Cris Nievarez (rowing), Joanie Delgaco (rowing), brothers Keisei and Shugen Nakano (judo), Yuta Watanabe (judo), Jericho Francisco (skateboarding), Patrick Coo (BMX cycling), Shagne Yaoyao (MTB cycling), Emma Malabuyo (gymnastics), Bianca Pagdanganan (golf) and Carlo Paalam (boxing), Criz Laurente (boxing), Hergie Bacyadan (boxing) and Rogen Ladon (boxing).

Tolentino also announced Cignal as the official sponsor of the Les Arenas Metz training camp Peak as the official apparel also for the camp and pre-Olympic preparations, with Smart and Standard Insurance as major backers.
Tolentino said that the Les Arenas Metz training camp is a first in POC history.

“This is the first time that our Olympians are immersing themselves in the host city of the Olympics for a month,” he said.

National sports associations whose athletes are still qualifying for Paris also attended the briefing.

THE Philippines will be hosting one qualifying event for the coming Paris Olympics.

The 11th Asian Age Group Championships now serve as qualifier to this year’s Summer Games in a development that added significant mileage to the Feb. 26 to March 9 event at the New Clark City Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac.

The good news was relayed by organizers of the tournament on Tuesday during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the conference hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex led by Congressman Eric Buhain, secretary-general of the Philippine Aquatics Inc.

“Just two days ago, it has been declared na yun pong tournament ay Olympic Qualifying event for Paris,” said Organizing Committee President and CEO Joseph ‘Jojit’ Alcazar, who joined COO Dave Carter and Buhain in the weekly session presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, PLDT/Smart, and ArenaPlus, the leading sports entertainment gateway in the Philippines.

Buhain added, “That also means there will be world-class swimmers coming in and doing their best to make the qualifying times for Paris. So napakalaking opportunity ito to host and see these swimmers. Bihirang-bihira na makakita tayo ng ganitong kalibreng mga atleta sa larangan ng aquatics na darating dito sa ating bansa.”

Around 1,300 athletes from 31 countries are expected to come over and compete in the four disciplines at stake, namely swimming, diving, artistic swimming, and water polo.

Buhain clarified though that only swimming serves as a qualifier to the Olympics.

Nonetheless, organizers see a possible surge in the number of entries and countries participating leading to the event following the decision to make the event an Olympic qualifier.

“Puwede pang lumobo ito dahil ngayon meron pang naghahabol na mapasali dito sa ating event,” said Alcazar.

A total of 44 swimmers – 22 boys and 22 girls – will comprise Team Philippines set to compete in the meet after being selected during the national tryouts held at the Teofilo Yldefonso swimming pool at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex late last year based on the World Aquatics qualifying points.

Southeast Asian Games record holder Xiandi Chua and gold medalist Chloe Isleta lead the country’s bid in the tournament.

Age-group events at stake are the 12-14, 15-17, and 18-and-above.

Meanwhile, four men and women will represent the country in diving and two foreign-based Filipinos are going to compete in artistic swimming.

Swimming competitions will be held from Feb. 26-29, diving from Feb. 26 to March 1, artistic swimming on March 2-6, and water polo on March 3-9.

Buhain said India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Japan, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka are the countries which will send the biggest delegation.

World Aquatics president Husain Al-Musallam and other officials of Asia Aquatics have signified their intentions to visit and watch the event.