THE Philippines only has one representative to the Beijing Winter Olympics that opens on February 4 but that’s no reason for apathy, according to Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.
“Only four Southeast Asian Games countries have representatives to Beijing—us, Thailand, Timor Leste and Malaysia,” Tolentino told Wednesday’s online Pandesal Forum. “I’m sure the whole country will be excited because our bet will be fighting it out against the world’s best in Beijing.
Filipino-American Asa Miller is the country’s lone representative to Beijing. The 21-year-old will compete in slalom and giant slalom of men’s alpine skiing.
Thailand has four athletes, Malaysia two and Timor Leste has one, Tolentino said.
Despite sending only one athlete, Team Philippines needs to send a bare essential delegation composed of Chef de Mission Bones Floro, Philippine Ski and Snowboard Federation (PSSF) President Jim Palomar Apelar, Covid-19 liaison officer Nikki Cheng, athlete and administration officer Dave Carter, athlete welfare officer Jobert Yu and Miller’s coach Will Gregorak.
Tolentino, a congressman from Cavite’s Eighth District and head of PhilCycling, said he expects host China to hold the best Winter Games ever.
“When I saw their New Year’s post, I said ‘wow,’ China will be very prepared for this Games,” he said.
Tolentino said that the POC requested for a P3 million participation budget from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
“We’re still waiting for the response from the PSC about our request. In case it’s turned down, the POC will find a way to fund the delegation,” he said. “That’s our commitment.”
Tolentino said that the POC gave the PSSF a temporary recognition as a regular member for the association to be able to draw financial assistance from the PSC.
Floro, meanwhile, said that the delegation should be in Beijing by January 30. Temperature in the Chinese capital, he said, as in the -11 degrees Celsius.
Miller, according to Apelar, will leave his home in Portland on January 28 and is expected in Beijng also on January 30 because of air travel complications wrought by the pandemic.