Swab testing for OQT-bound Pinoy athletes

Once national athletes are allowed to return to training for various Olympic Qualifying Tournaments, the Inter-Agency Task Force will implement swab testing procedures before anybody is allowed entry to the Philsports Complex in Pasig City.

Philippine Sports Commission national training director Marc Velasco said yesterday that COVID-19 deputy chief implementer Vince Dizon has informed them of the protocol to ensure the safety of all when training resumes.

“We were advised that they will provide, they offered the swab testing for the national team – athletes, coaches and other involved when training starts for our Olympic hopefuls,” said Velasco, also the chief of staff of PSC chairman Butch Ramirez.

The government has put up free testing for COVID-19 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, and this facility will be made available to national team members.

“This one they offered is for free, because the one we’re doing (testing) for officials and employees is PSCfunded,” said Velasco.

Aside from the athletes with upcoming OQTs, Velasco said coaches, as well as medical staff like physical therapists will also be tested.

Velasco said the remaining training areas or gyms, and all quarters of athletes and coaches, are scheduled for disinfection later this month as the PSC has agreed to resume the training for the Olympics.

Filipino athletes in sports like karate, fencing, weightlifting and athletics have qualifying tournaments set next year for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which has been reset to July 2021 after it was postponed last month due to the coronavirus pandemic.