There are at least 15 Filipinos who have secured their ticket to the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Officials are hoping to have 19 or more.
Filipino athletes heading to the Olympic Games Paris 2024 will be getting a huge cash boost from senators, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richard Bachmann announced during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday.
The estimated amount was given by a group of lawmakers, including Sen. Risa Hontiveros and Sen. Bong Go.
“Twenty-three million is only from Senator Risa Hontiveros. Then Senator Bong Go has a figure already, may additional siya. There’s also additional from other senators direct to the athletes already na pinasa lang sa PSC and I just signed a cheque,” said Bachmann.
Prompted about the total from lawmakers, Bachmann said, "Siguro mga P30 plus millions."
The amount will be distributed before the Olympic Games set from July 26 to August 9.
This is separate from the P52 million that the PSC allotted for the Olympics. Bachmann explained that they already spent P43 million of this budget for the qualifiers and training, as well as the airfare, luggage, and parade uniforms for Paris.
"So I have eight to nine million left. Kung kulang man I will look for money," said Bachmann.
The Philippines has at least 15 athletes in the Paris Olympics: pole vaulter EJ Obiena; gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, Levi Ruivivar, and Emma Malabuyo; boxers Aira Villegas, Nesthy Petecio, Hergie Bacyadan, Eumir Marcial and Carlo Paalam; rower Joanie Delgaco; weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, John Ceniza, and Elreen Ando; as well as fencer Sam Catantan.
[ALSO READ: LIST: Filipino athletes qualified for the Olympic Games Paris 2024]
Officials are hoping to see at least 19 to qualify. The list will be finalized by the end of June.
Filipino athletes will then be heading out to a month-long training camp in Metz, France before competing in Paris.
[ALSO READ: POC, Cignal to establish Team Philippines' month-long training camp in France ahead of 2024 Paris Olympics]