Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 2) – Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Bambol Tolentino wants national athletes, especially those bound for the Tokyo Olympics, to be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination if it becomes available.
During the virtual Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday, Tolentino said Congress is now deliberating on what sectors to prioritize for COVID-19 vaccination once a coronavirus cure becomes available, adding that he will fight for the inclusion of national athletes in the priority list.
“Sa ngayon, wala pang guidelines diyan. Ilalaban natin ‘yun na i-priority natin ‘yung sports of course, because of the Olympics,” said Tolentino.
[Translaton: For now, there are no guidelines yet. But we will fight to prioritize sports (and the athletes) because of the Olympics.]
The POC chief added it will be risky to send athletes to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, now scheduled for July 23 to August 8, 2021, because there is still no vaccine yet for COVID-19.
“We’re one of those NOCs (National Olympic Committees) that’s hoping for a vaccine, pero mahirap din talaga kung matutuloy tapos wala rin naman palang vaccine. Mabigat ‘yun. Hindi pa natin alam yung guidelines doon, may waiver ba diyan or what,” explained Tolentino.
[Translation: We’re one of those NOCs that’s hoping for a vaccine, but it will also be really difficult if the Olympics push through without the vaccine. It would be difficult. We don’t know the guidelines for the Olympics yet, if there will be waivers or what.]
Last month, the International Olympic Committee said it was not discounting the possibility of canceling the 2020 Tokyo Olympics altogether if no vaccine becomes available.
Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also reiterated the need for a vaccine and treatments for COVID-19 to fully stage the Olympics.
While there is no vaccine yet, Tolentino called for the prioritization of athletes in rapid testing, especially those who need to train and participate in tournaments abroad.
“Hindi natin pababayaan ‘yung mga atleta natin. Sigurado ako na mapa-priority ‘yung sports because of the Olympics, and it could even be extended to the (2021) Southeast Asian Games,” said Tolentino.
[Translation: We will not neglect our athletes. I’m sure that sports will be prioritized because of the Olympics, and it could even be extended to the (2021) Southeast Asian Games.]
So far, four Filipino athletes have qualified for the Tokyo Games. They are pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnast Carlos Yulo, and boxers Eumir Felix Marcial and Irish Magno.
2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz and 2019 AIBA Women’s world featherweight champion Nesthy Petecio are still vying for a slot in the quadrennial meet.
