Having athletes qualify to see action in the 4th Winter Youth Olympic Games in South Korea is already a huge achievement for a tropical country like the Philippines.
The country joined Thailand and Singapore as the only Southeast Asian nations to have entries in the Gangwon Games opening on Friday.
“Southeast Asian athletes are improving in winter sports and we’re happy to be part of it,” Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said.
Three Filipino athletes, speed skater Peter Groseclose, freestyle skier Laetaz Amihan Rabe and crosscountry skier Avery Balbanida have earned their spots in the Winter Youth Olympics.
It may look measly compared to Thailand’s 19 young bets but it is the Philippines’ most number of entries so far.
Back in the Innsbruck 2012 edition, alpine skier Abel Tesfamariam and figure skater and two-time Winter Olympian Michael Martinez bannered the tricolor. Two Filipinos speed skater Julian Macaraeg and alpine skier Ana Noelle Wahleithner competed in Lausanne 2020 four years ago in the Philippines’ return to the prestigious young multi-sports fest after missing the 2016 Lillehammer, Norway Games.
“It’s really good to see that we’re improving,” Tolentino said.
Meanwhile, Singapore has two entries.
Groseclose and his parents Tim and Victoria are already in Seoul, Rabe is flying in on Friday and Balbanida is due on 25 January.
Tolentino and POC secretary-general Wharton Chan will be in Gangwon on Thursday a day before a simultaneous opening ceremony at the Gangneung Oval and PyeongChang Dome.
Around 1,900 athletes aged 15 to 18 from 79 nations will be competing for 81 gold medals spread over seven sports in the games organized by the International Olympic Committee.
