POC vows to provide COVID-19 vaccine to PH athletes once available

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) promised to provide COVID-19 vaccines to all PH national athletes once it is made available to ensure their safety amid the ongoing pandemic.

POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said that access to vaccines for all PH national athletes once out in the market will be at the top of their list, especially those who will fly to Tokyo and compete in the Olympics.

“Definitely merong allocation diyan. Ilalaban natin yun na i-priority natin yung sports of course, because of the Olympics,” Tolentino said.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) together with the Tokyo Organizing Committee agreed to move the Olympics to 2021.

With another year left for preparations for the Olympics, the POC hopes that a vaccine will be made available in time so that they can assure the athletes’ safety.

“Hopefully, we’re all praying that early next year or late this year, magkaroon na ng vaccine. That will be the only solution na matuloy ang Olympics,” Tolentino added.