Except for gymnast Carlos Yulo, any of the 18 other Filipino athletes who qualified for the Tokyo Olympics can become the country’s flagbearer.
The Philippine delegation’s chef de mission Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said he and Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino have found it difficult to choose who will carry the Philippine flag from among the 19 qualified Filipino athletes when the opening rites are held on July 23.
Numerous restrictions imposed by the Tokyo Olympics Organizing Committee to control the spread of COVID-19 have made it hard for Filipino officials from making a final decision.
“Anyone is deserving to be a flagbearer. Depende na kung sino ang makakarating at kung kailan ang competition,” said Araneta.
Araneta said competing athletes must be at the venue some five days before their competitions.
And those participating in the parade during the opening ceremonies is limited to a total of six per delegation.
Araneta said the schedule of arrival of national athletes to the games are so staggered that they will have to slow down in making a decision on this.
Included in the list of Filipino athletes are Ernest John Obiena (athletics), Yulo, Eumir Felix Marcial (boxing), Irish Magno (boxing), Nesthy Petecio (boxing), Carlo Paalam (boxing), Hidilyn Diaz (weightlifting) and Cris Nievarez (rowing).
Also listed are Kurt Barbosa (taekwondo), Margielyn Didal (skateboarding), Elreen Ando (weightlifting), Jayson Valdez (shooting), Juvic Pagunsan (golf), Kiyomi Watanabe (judo), Kristina Knott (athletics), Yuka Saso (golf), Bianca Pagdanganan (golf), Gebbie and Rule.
So far, Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion said she is ruling out Yulo as a flagbearer.
“They asked him and I said no. He has a competition the following day and he needs to rest. You know how heavy the flags are,” Carrion said.
Araneta will lead the first batch of officials who will be flying to Tokyo via Narita Airport on July 15. They will head directly to Conrad Hotel, which will be the official home of Team Philippines.
Joining Araneta are team doctor Randy Molo and POC general manager and Secondary Olympic Attache Dinah Remolacio.
Atty. Billy Sumagui has been assigned as the COVID-19 Liaison Officer, who will be assisted by Martin Gregorio.