BOXER AS FLAG BEARER?
Schedule conflicts limit POC choices
The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) is looking to tap one among the four local boxers to serve as flag bearer when Filipino athletes march in the opening ceremonies of the Tokyo Olympics on 23 July.
Chief of mission Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said the schedule conflicts brought by the tight quarantine restrictions in Japan had left them with no choice but to tap whoever is available to carry the flag in the biggest, most prestigious sports gathering in the world.
Araneta said members of the national boxing team in Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, Irish Magno and Carlo Paalam could be available.
Based on their schedule, the boxers will be flying to Tokyo around 17 or 19 July with boxing competition not starting until the 24th.
“I think our boxers will be available, they might be there around 17 or 19 July. I think their competition schedule is in the middle of the Games,” Araneta said in a radio interview yesterday.
“But we are still calling the coaches if their athletes are available during that time.”
Previous reports have it that the POC was initially looking at four athletes: Yuka Saso of golf, Carlos Yulo of gymnastics, EJ Obiena of athletics and Hidilyn Diaz of weightlifting.
The 20-year-old Saso seems like a logical choice, not only for being a half-Japanese, but also for winning the prestigious US Women’s Open recently.
Also said to be on top of the list are Yulo for being the world champion, Obiena for being the first Filipino to qualify in the Summer Games and Diaz for winning the silver medal in the previous Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
But none among them would be available when the skies of Tokyo light up in celebration to signal the start of the pandemic-hit Summer Games.
I think their competition schedule is in the middle of the Games.
Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion was the first to count Yulo out, saying that he will not attend the opening parade because of an important competition the following day while Diaz also has to stay in shape and focused for an event on the 25th.
Saso, for her part, would also be unavailable as golf events will not start until 30 July, similar to athletics events (31 July).
Araneta said no less than POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino is making the rounds, asking their respective coaches about their availability for such prestigious responsibility.
“Hidilyn will be there before the opening ceremony, but she will be having a game right after. It is the same for EJ as well,” Araneta said.
“Of course, we don’t want it to affect the performance of our athletes.”
Araneta added that if none of them will agree, then, the POC will likely tap a boxer to lift the flag and lead their fellow Filipino Olympians in the traditional parade of colors.
The last time a boxer carried the Philippine flag in the Olympics was in 2008 when the POC bent its tradition and appointed Sen. Manny Pacquiao to serve as flag bearer.
At that time, tapping Pacquiao made a lot of sense since he was just fresh from a nine-round demolition of David Diaz that made him the only Asian to win four titles in different weight classes.
The national boxers have the credentials to justify the role of flag bearer.
Marcial, in fact, is a three-time gold medalist in the Southeast Asian Games and one-time world youth champion. Now, he is campaigning in the professional ranks under the watchful eyes of Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach.
Petecio, meanwhile, is a world champion while Magno and Paalam are regarded as the best fighters in the region.
Still, Araneta the decision is for Tolentino to make.
“This is why Cong. Bambol is talking to other coaches. We cannot simply designate someone without knowing their schedule first because they might be suddenly unavailable,” Araneta added.
“We still have other options. I think we can still choose from other athletes.”