THE Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee are looking to secure the approval of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the resumption of training of Tokyo-bound Filipino athletes and others seeking Olympic slots.
The PSC Board on discussed the plans with POC president Bambol Tolentino and secretary-general Ed Gastanes on Tuesday.
Boxers Irish Magno and Eumir Marcial, pole vaulter EJ Obiena and gymnast Carlos Yulo have secured spots in the Olympics set in 2021, while 2016 silver medalist Hidlyn Diaz of weightlifting and other athletes are still looking to book their places in the Tokyo Games.
“We initiated the meeting with POC with the good of our national athletes in mind. Lagi yan priority as Chairman Butch Ramirez always say” said Commissioner Ramon Fernandez, in charge of the government’s sports arm while PSC chairman William Ramirez is on leave.
“COVID-19 notwithstanding, we must never lose sight of our goal to give our best for our first Olympic gold.
“We can only recommend, but they (IATF) have the final say,” Fernandez added.
PSC National Training Director Marc Velasco said disinfection will also be done at the training facilities at the Philsports and Rizal Memorial Coplex.
COVID-19 facilities put up by government at the Multi-purpose Arena in Pasig City and the Ninoy Aquino Coliseum in RMSC have suspected and mild-positive patients.
Fernandez said they are also looking into sending athletes to private facilities and sports complexes owned by local government units with low cases of COVID-19. Aldrin Quinto
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