PH BEST BETS IN PARIS OLYMPICS

The Philippines celebrates its 100th year of Olympic participation as it sends 18-athletes (and still counting) in this year’s greatest sporting spectacle in Paris, France from July 26 to Aug. 11.

The country’s return in the “City of Love” also marked first-ever participation of a South East Asian nation admitted in the Olympics 100 years ago.

The Philippines sent lone athlete in David Nepomuceno, who competed in athletics, where he entered in the men’s 100 and 200 meters. unfortunately didn’t advance to the next round of eliminations.

And after its debut, the country have been participating the Olympic Games. Except during the 1980 Moscow Games, where the Philippines joined the US-led boycott following then, Soviet Union occupation of Afghanistan.

This time the Philippine Olympic Committer (POC) has approved 18 athletes that met and passed the Olympic qualification standard.

The 18-man Olympic delegation was recently named and honoured during a sendoff dinner hosted by Senate Youth and Sports committee chaired by Senator Bing Go.

The Filipino athletes will participate so far in six discipline led by boxers (2 male, 3 female) Felix Eumir Marcial, Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio Aira Villegas and Hergie Bacyadin.

Gymnastics led by Carlos Yulo, 2019 SEA Games five-time gold medalist, Levi Jung Ruvivar and Emma Malabuyo. Competing in weightlifting are John Ceiza, Eireen Ando and Vanessa Sarno.

Philippine athletics golden boy E, J Objena will compete in his masterful event, Pole vault. Just other day, Captured the gold medal in the concluded Poland invitational, where he cleared the bar at 56.7 meter, equaling the Olympic record.

Also competing in their respective events are, Samantha Catantan in fencing, and Joan Delgado in rowing.

According to POC president Bambol Tolentino, the list could rise to 24 athletes as they await two more from athletics (one male and female) and swimming, one each, male and female.

Both discipline are still having their final qualification phase.