The last time the Philippines had qualified 20 athletes for the Olympics was in Sydney 2000.
The swimmers will not be outdone for Team Philippines.
Filipino tankers Kayla Sanchez and Jarod Hatch punctuate a big day for Team Philippines, qualifying just in the nick of time for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
The two swimmers are set to join the Philippine contingent after Philippine Aquatics Inc. nominated them for universality places – berths given to underrepresented countries in the Olympics.
That means Sanchez will make her second straight Olympics, but first-time ever under the Philippine flag. She was part of Team Canada’s swimming team who captured the women’s 4x100m freestyle silver and 4x100m medley bronze in Tokyo 2020.
The 23-year-old will compete in the women’s 100m freestyle, where she is a former bronze medalist in the World Junior Championships.
In 2022, the then 21-year-old was allowed by World Aquatics to switch nationalities and represent the Philippines in international competitions.
Sanchez quickly made her mark after breaking not one, not two, but three national records in the Asian Games last year, setting the bar high in the 50m backstroke, 4x100m freestyle, and
100m freestyle event.
Meanwhile, the 25-year-old Hatch will see action in the men’s 100m butterfly.
Hatch collected three medals in the 2023 Southeast Asia Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, including a silver in the mixed 4×100 medley relay and bronzes in the men’s 50m and 100 butterfly.
[ALSO READ: SEA Games medalist Jarod Hatch aims at bigger goals after coming out of retirement]
With Sanchez and Hatch expected to make the Olympic cast, the Philippines will surpass its athlete count in Tokyo 2020, where 19 competed.
The other Filipino qualifies for Paris are weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, John Febuar Ceniza and Elreen Ando; boxers Aira Villegas, Hergie Bacyadan, Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Felix Marcial; rower Joanie Delgaco; fencer Samantha Catantan; and gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Emma Malabuyo and Levi Ruivivar.
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Story summary:
- Kayla Sanchez and Jarod Hatch secure spots on Team Philippines for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 through universality places.
- Sanchez, a former Canadian swimmer, will compete under the Philippine flag for the first time at the Olympic Games, aiming for the women’s 100m freestyle event.
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Hatch, a multiple medalist at the Southeast Asian Games, will represent the Philippines in the men’s 100m butterfly, marking his Olympic debut.
[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.]