July 04, 2024

‘All systems go’: Team Philippines begins training camp in Metz, France just a month before Olympics

‘All systems go’: Team Philippines begins training camp in Metz, France just a month before Olympics
POC president Bambol Tolentino and Chef de Mission Jonvic Remulla tour the facilities with the first batch of athletes and coaches at the Metz training camp. | Photo (c) POC

Team Philippines has officially settled in Metz, France, after arriving in the country on Sunday, just a month before the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

Work began in earnest at the Team Philippines training camp in Metz with Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Chef de Mission Jonvic Remulla leading the rounds at the all-in facility where the Olympics-bound Filipino athletes will get in harness for a month.

“It’s all systems go here at La Moselle,” said Tolentino.

This marks the first time that the POC is conducting a training camp for Olympic athletes. 

Tolentino and Remulla emphasized that the morale of the team is very high before Paris 2024 starts on July 26.

“The first batch of athletes that flew in with us here last Saturday morning are amazed with the facility and are eager to wind up their training for their respective events for the Olympics,” said Tolentino.

“The athletes are excited and enthusiastic about this training camp, the main objective of which is to make sure our athletes are in top shape for the competitions,” Remulla added.

The first batch of the 15 Filipino athletes who have so far qualified for the Olympics included weightlifters Vanessa Sarno and Elreen Ando, boxers Aira Villegas, Hergie Bacyadan, Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio, rower Joanie Delgaco and weightlifter John Febuar Ceniza.

[ALSO READ: Paris 2024: Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam honored to carry Philippine flag in Olympics]

They are also accompanied by secretary-general Atty. Wharton Chan, the athletes' coach and trainer, and a lean POC staff that set up the facility ahead of the team’s arrival. They will be in France for the entire duration of the Games, which ends on August 11.

Boxer Eumir Felix Marcial, fencer Samantha Catantan, and gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Emma Malabuyo, and Levi Ruivivar are expected to arrive in Metz from different origins in the next few days

According to Tolentino, the team in Paris is set to surpass the 20-athlete mark, with more qualifiers expected in athletics, golf, and swimming. The sport’s international federations will announce the official qualifiers for the Olympics this week.

“The Paris campaign is now in full throttle,” Tolentino concluded.


Story Summary

  • Team Philippines has settled in Metz, France, a month before the Olympic Games Paris 2024, marking the first-ever training camp organized by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) for Olympic athletes.

  • Accompanied by POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Chef de Mission Jonvic Remulla, the athletes are enthusiastic about the training camp's all-in facility. The first batch, including notable athletes like weightlifters Vanessa Sarno and Elreen Ando, and boxers Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio, arrived and expressed excitement for their training.

  • With the initial group of 15 athletes in place, additional athletes such as boxer Eumir Felix Marcial and gymnast Carlos Yulo are expected soon. Tolentino anticipates surpassing the 20-athlete mark with potential qualifiers in athletics, golf, and swimming, underscoring the campaign’s momentum for Paris 2024.
[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital team. The summary was generated by AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]