Petecio, Paalam babandera sa Team Philippines

BABANDERAHIN nina Tok­yo Olympics silver me­da­lists Nesthy Petecio at Carlo Paalam bilang flag-bearers ang 16-member Philippine representation sa opening ceremony ng Paris Olympics bukas sa Seine River.

“We’ll be a proud and hopeful 16-strong Team Philippines in the opening ceremony,” ani Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.

Makakasama nina Petecio at Paalam sa bangka sina boxers Aira Villegas at Hergie Bacyadan, hurdlers Lauren Hoffman at John Cabang Tolentino, swimmers Kayla Sanchez at Jarrod Hatch, gymnast Aleah Finnegan at fencer Samantha Catantan.

Sina Chef de Mission Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla at sports officials Michael Angelo Vargas (swimming), Marcus Manalo (boxing), Cynthia Carrion Norton (gymnastics), Patrick Gregorio (rowing) at Agapito “Terry” Capistrano (athletics) ay sasakay din sa bangka.

Hindi sasama sina boxer Eumir Felix Marcial, gymnast Carlos Yulo at rower Joanie Delgaco sa seremonya dahil sa Sabado ang umpisa ng kanilang mga laban.

Mas pinili naman ni pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena na tutukan ang kanyang preparasyon sa Normandy.

Samantala, hindi pa tapos sina weightlifters Va­nessa Sarno, John Febuar Ceniza at Erleen Ann Ando sa kanilang training camp sa Metz at papasok sa Olympic Village sa Agosto 6.

“The schedule of our Olympian athletes have been meticulously crafted by their coaches so there won’t be hitches as they approach their competition days,” sabi ni Tolentino.

Nagtungo ang POC chief sa Athletes Village matapos dumating sa Paris noong Miyerkules at nakausap si multiple pro bo­xing champion Gennadiy Gennadyevich Golovkin o ‘Triple G’ na bahagi ng Kazakhstan boxing team.

Ang iba pang kukumpleto sa 22-athlete Team PH ay sina gymnasts Emma Malabuyo at Levi Ruivivar, golfers Bianca Pagdangan at Dottie Ardina at judoka Kiyomi Watanabe.