PHL OLYMPIC CAMPAIGN STARTS FROM SCRATCH
THE global lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic has practically shoved the country’s Tokyo 2020 Olympics campaign back to square one.
According to Philippine Chef de Mission to Tokyo 2020 Mariano “Nonong” Araneta, national sports associations (NSAS) with athletes who have already qualified for the Games would have to modify their plans based on the new schedule pegged from July 24 to August 9, 2021.
So far, only world champion gymnast Carlos Yulo, pole vaulter EJ Obiena and boxers Eumir Felix Marcial and Irish Magno have qualified for Tokyo 2020. Araneta said there are at least 14 other Filipino athletes hoping to qualify.
Araneta said it would be a different strategy for those who are still trying to earn tickets to the Games.
“For those who are still trying to qualify, they have to wait for the new qualifying schedules from their respective IFS [international federations],” he said.
The International Olympic Committee ruled that qualifiers are guaranteed to compete next year while advising IFS to immediately tinker with their new qualifying procedures. Even athletes who are serving doping bans could still vie for the Tokyo Olympics.
Araneta said NSAS have been responsible in updating the chef de mission’s office on the status of their athletes since the ECQ was enforced a month ago.
“The NSAS involved submit their updates on the status of their athletes from time to time,” Araneta said. “We have advised them that since the Olympics have been moved, the focus should be on the safety of everyone.”
“We’re all waiting for the NSAS to submit their new training plan once the new qualifying schedules are out,” he added.
Araneta earlier said that he expects about 20 more athletes will qualify for the Tokyo Games.
Among the aspirants are 2016 Rio Olympics weightlifting silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz, women’s world boxing champion Nesthy Petecio, BMX’S Daniel Caluag, judoka Kiyomi Watanabe, skateboarder Margielyn Didal, triathletes Kim Mangrobang and Kim Kilgroe and golfers Yuka Saso, Dottie Ardina and Miguel Tabuena.
The country is also assured of at two compulsory slots (one male and one female) in swimming and athletics under the universality rule.
The other sports targeting tickets to Tokyo are taekwondo, archery, 3x3 basketball, canoe-kayak, fencing, table tennis, karate, rowing and wrestling.
Araneta said that he would meet with the NSAS, Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission to discuss a new plan once the ECQ is lifted.
“At the moment, the priority is to keep yourselves fit and stay safe and healthy...pray that this pandemic will be over soon,” he said.