OFFICIALS of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) confirmed on Tuesday that adjustments were made on the PhilSports oval to conform with World Athletics standards that would make the facility an eligible venue for one of several Tokyo Olympics qualifiers.
Jeanette Obiena, a member of the Patafa board and technical support group, told the BusinessMirror that discrepancies at the start line of the 110-meter hurdles has been corrected.
The PhilSports oval was built 35 years ago but some of its facilities did not conform with international federation configurations.
“The track was a bit tight before, especially at the starting blocks of the 110-meter hurdles,” Obiena, mother of Tokyo Olympics-bound pole vaulter EJ Obiena, said.
The PhilSports traditionally hosted local competitions including the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, National Collegiate Athletic Association, and the Patafa National Open in 2016. It was renovated last year by the Philippine Sports Commission for the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
The track and field competitions, however, were staged at the new Athletics Stadium at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.
Obiena added the track’s tartan surface is certified by the World Athletics, formerly the International Association of Athletics Federations.
The Patafa, however, still needs to have the facility homologated by the World Athletics if it intends to include the 2020 National Open, which was postponed for December, as a Tokyo Olympics qualifier.