A bubble-type of setup has been approved for national athletes training for the Tokyo Olympics and those who are seeking qualification for it.
The green light was given yesterday by the Interagency Task for Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, nine months after the country underwent a series of lockdowns to control the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
Palace spokesman Harry Roque announced the approval of the IATF during a press briefing in Malacanang.
The request for the resumption of training activities was initially forwarded by the Philippine Olympic Committee.
Early this week, the Philippine Sports Commission released safety rules and protocols to be followed by athletes going inside the bubble.
The training of student athletes has also been included in the recommendations.
Ramirez said he is upbeat about the possibility of the Philippines having more qualifiers in the Olympics.
“Nakikita natin na napakaraming potentials. May apat na na qualified, at mayroon din na 28 na puwede mag-qualify. That’s why we’re funding this. If we’re going to be scientific, I don’t have a basis to predict. But if Hidilyn Diaz and Caloy Yulo has proven themselves in international competitions, then we have a good chance,” said Ramirez.
So far, the four qualified for the Olympics are pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena, gymnast Caloy Yulo and boxers Eumir Marcial and Irish Magno.
In complying with a strict 10-point guideline issued by the PSC, the national sports associations and the sports organizations concerned will have to form a group of experts, which will formulate protocols that needed to be followed.
Adeline inspires in PSC’s webisode
Meanwhile, Pinay powerlifter Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta has inspired fellow athletes through her journey battling polio and winning the country’s first-ever medal in the 2000 Summer Paralympics during the PSC weekly web series, Rise Up! Shape Up! this Wednesday.
The decorated athlete fought against adversity when she was diagnosed with Polio at age 6. Paralyzed from the waist down, her family made the hard decision to move her to Bahay Mapagmahal—Philippine Orthopedic Center, a place for children with disabilities in Manila where she was exposed to sports and music as part of its rehabilitation program.
Adeline is proof that strength comes from within and it conquers any obstacle. She leaped to glory by becoming the first Filipina to win a Paralympic medal when she won bronze at the 2000 Summer Paralympics. It’s turning pain into power, a beacon of hope for all of us,” said Ramirez.