Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 5) — The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) is eyeing to have at least 19 athletes to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics scheduled to run from July 26 to August 11.
“It will be very good if we again have 19 Olympians, but if we don’t have those numbers, the focus will be on the podium. Hopefully, we haul more in Paris,” POC president Bambol Tolentino said in a statement.
The Philippines sent 19 athletes in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which was highlighted by weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz capturing the country’s first-ever gold medal.
The Summer Games in Paris marks the centennial participation of the Philippines in the Olympics.
Four Filipinos are bound for Paris so far — pole vaulter EJ Obiena, boxer Eumir Marcial, and gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan.
With athletics and aquatics offering universality slots, the country is guaranteed with at least three more qualifiers.
Universality slots are given to athletes from countries that struggle to secure tickets in the Olympics through normal qualifications.
“We’re not only the country preparing for Paris, everybody else is preparing hard for the Olympics. We need all the support—moral, financial, among others,” Tolentino said.
Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee will release its decision on whether to allow boxing legend and former Senator Manny Pacquiao to compete in Paris by March.
