FILIPINO athletes who will make the 2024 Paris Olympics cut will earn the privilege of training a full month before the quadrennial games in the French capital.
“The goal is to have our qualified athletes to be in Paris at least one month before the Olympics,” said Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino, who in Paris to make an early reservation.
“It’s not only us [Philippines] who’s making a reservation for a training facility, but several other countries as well. It’s first come, first served so we’re making sure we get the best one for our athletes,” he added.
The mayor from Tagaytay was impressed with the state-of-the-art facilities in Paris.
“I personally inspected the venues to make sure they’re fitted to the needs of our athletes,” said the PhilCycling chief. “We wanted a 3-in-1 facility, which should be at least 10 minutes to and from the athletes accommodation or should also be equipped with a kitchen.”
Mr. Tolentino said they would ask the Philippine Sports Commission chared by Noli Wala to shoulder the one-month pre-Olympics training camp aside from actual participation.
“We will ask the PSC to cover the expenses as part of the Olympic journey,” he said.
The country is optimistic it could eclipse, if not match, its historic performance in the 2021 Tokyo Games—a breakthrough gold by lifter Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo and two silvers and a bronze by boxers Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam and Eumir Marcial respectively. — Joey Villar