IATF now allowing Olympics bound athletes to train under a bubble set up

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases just approved the request of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) to hold the training of the Tokyo Olympics bound athletes under a bubble format.

After several months of waiting for the approval, the POC’s efforts finally paid off and will immediately start mapping out the bubble for the athletes to start with their training.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque was the one who formally announced the recent decision made under Resolution 88 during the last press briefing.

“Ang pag-conduct ng bubble-type setting ay gagawin sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa regional task force kung saan gagawin ang training at lokal na pamahalaan kung saan nandun ang proposed venue,” said Roque.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, national athletes were forced to halt their training while some flew out of the country to continue their preparations.

Among those who decided to fly and build their training camps outside the country are boxing Olympics qualifier Eumir Marcial, gymnastics Olympics qualifier Carlos Yulo, and Olympics qualifier EJ Obiena in pole vaulting.

However, it was unclear if the athletes who are not yet qualified and will still need a couple of tournaments to clinch an Olympics berth are qualified to train inside the bubble.