Cebu City—Athletics officials are seeking a re-measurement of the track oval inside the Cebu City Sports Complex after it appeared to fall short of World Athletics’ standard.
The oval, which is now being used for the running events of the 2024 Palarong Pambansa, is believed to have fallen short of the standard distance of 400 meters.
Tournament director Jeanette Obiena told coaches and delegation officials that the oval’s length is at 398 meters, two meters below the prescribed length of World Athletics, the world governing body for track and field sports.
“We are waiting for the technical measurements of the contractor. We need another one,” said Obiena.
Track officials said that with situation, no meet record will be recognized on running events that have distances of 400 meters, or more.
Work was still going on to fix the condition of the newly-renovated rubberized track oval at the CCSC some three days to go before competitions.
Two lanes needed to undergo a makeover with visible signs of damage seen on the turf near the finish line.
Concerns were brought up on the situation at the oval, with the detachment of the rubber from its base, a bumpy surface, and the presence of water trapped inside the rubber base.
CCSC was closed for renovation in May 2023 and completion of the repairs were rushed, days before the Palaro was to start.
Meanwhile, Laoag City Mayor Michael Keon said that the Province of Ilocos Norte will have facilities built under better conditions when it hosts the 2025 Palarong Pambansa.
Keon, who recently learned about the situation involving the CCSC turf, revealed that the Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial Stadium, also known as Marcos Stadium, will meet international standards, featuring an oval with a 400-meter length.
The Marcos Stadium is a football and track stadium that was completed last year, with a seating capacity of 25,000.
