Thirteen Filipinos are now technically assured of berths to the Philippine team that will wage war against the best and strongest athletes from around the globe in the Paris Olympics.
But if lady luck smiles, there will be more PH athletes who will be given the chance to showcase their stuff in the greatest sporting show slated July 26 to Aug. 11 with the Philippines hoping to win another Olympic gold as it celebrates its 100th year of participation.
“We have as of now qualified 13 athletes for Paris,” Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said during the First POC Journey to Olympic Briefing at the Milky Way Restaurant in Makati City on Friday, April 12.
During the delayed Tokyo Games, the country sent 19 athletes with weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz making history after producing the country’s first Olympic gold.
Nine of those who made it to the quadrennial spectacle through direct qualification are world No. 2 pole vaulter 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.
Also qualified via direct qualification is weightlifter Rosegie Ramos.
Despite missing the Magic 10 – she ended up 11th in the 49 kgs class at the world ranking meet in Phuket, Thailand – Ramos still qualified after a Belgian was eased out due to lack of mandatory six qualifiers.
“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 Jonvic Remulla, and secretary-general Atty. Wharton Chan.
The 11th and 12th qualifiers, Tolentino said, are swimmers Kyla Sanchez and Jarrod Hatch – thanks to the universality rule.
The 13th, he added, is a female athlete from athletics.
The athletics association is yet to announce the lucky athlete.
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).
Also, the POC has formalized negotiations for a month-long training camp in a world-class facility at Les Arenas Metz in La Moselle.
Tolentino said Cignal will the sponsor the training with Peak as the official apparel also for the camp and pre-Olympic preparations, and 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. – REY C. LACHICA
