Road training, swimming hopefully will be allowed
Coaches and officials of the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) are in high spirits that their athletes’ training conditions will improve once quarantine restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic are eased.
TRAP president Tom Carrasco said they hoped athletes will be allowed to train on the road by the end of the month while also keeping their fingers crossed that swimming facilities will be made available in the coming months.
There is no evidence to suggest people can get the virus through ingesting water from the pool. The athletes would also have to abide by the swimming guidelines.
“Our emphasis is to bring back the athletes to their competitive fitness level. I believe it’s the same situation among elites and age groupers,” he said.
The national and developmental teams are still on limited training programs, doing mainly indoor and occasional road works when allowed.
Even under General Community Quarantine (GCQ), coaches have asked the athletes to be on the safe side and continue training indoors.
PH coach Ani De Leon currently leads their virtual training via an online cycling application three times a week, plus strength and conditioning.
Coach Kevin Eijansantos, assisted by coach Fabie David, is also prescribing programs to his junior and youth athletes that include twice-a-day training, yoga and limited running unless allowed at their village.
Coaches Melvin Fausto and George Vilog are also in close contact with John Chicano and Nikko Huelgas’ training.
TRAP is also in touch with top Olympic prospects Kim Mangrobang and Kim Kilgroe, who are in Portugal and California preparing for qualification races for the 2020 Tokyo Games rescheduled next year.
Carrasco said it is presumptuous to assume that events can be organized as early as August, adding that organizers should consider the conditions of athletes and not rush into events.
However, they are looking at events in November that include the ASTC Triathlon Asian Cup in Subic Bay, as well as aquathlon events in December.