By Mark Angelo Mañez
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| PHOTO: PSC/Abante |
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)
is hoping that the delayed Tokyo Olympics pushes through this year.
This having acknowledged that many countries, including
ours, are already deep in preparations for the quadrennial meet.
Penciled to be held from July 23 to August 8, more than a
year removed from its original date, citizens from Japan are still expressing
doubt over the safety of holding the event amid the novel coronavirus
(COVID-19) pandemic.
PSC commissioner Ramon Fernandez said that the Philippine
sports body understood where the concerns were coming from, but still hope for
a favorable decision as the Games draw closer.
"It's pretty understandable that they are wary of the
pandemic even at the time when the Olympics starts... But on our part naman,
and some other countries, we are deep in preparation," said Fernandez on
Noli Eala's Power & Play on Saturday.
"That's why our bubble training will start this week,
first week of January to really prepare for the Tokyo Olympics," he added.
The International Olympic Committee made an unprecedented
decision last year of postponing the Summer Games for the first time since
World War II with COVID-19 wrecking havoc on the world.
And while a vaccine has already been developed, Fernandez
concedes that the health crisis, especially with a new strain of the virus,
should not be underestimated.
The sports official, however, remains optimistic.
"We are hoping, of course, that it will really push
through. But then again, we are again facing what they may see as the second
wave of the virus... That will pose another problem," Fernandez said.
As of now, four Filipinos have officially qualified for the
Tokyo Olympics -- pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnast Carlos Yulo, and pugs Eumir
Marcial and Irish Magno.
Judoka Kiyomi Watanabe is also close to clinching a berth in
the quadrennial games.
2016 Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz, SEA Games
gold medalist Margielyn Didal, and Asian Games gold medalist Yuka Saso are also
among those who are seeking a ticket to the Olympic Games.
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