THIS early, there are plans to bring athletes who will qualify to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to Japan some six weeks before the Games begin.
Philippine Sports Commission chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, who made this assurance, and is discussing this possibility with sports officials, said the Philippine Sports Institute will be at the forefront of preparations and how this will be made possible.
“This way, our Olympians will acclimatize ideally during the Olympics. Between August and September, they will travel to Tokyo, to be able to get used to the weather, the people, the mode of transportation and traffic, the lifestyle there. So by 2020, our athletes will be there earlier,” said Ramirez.
Ramirez said they agency is considering plans to help send Filipino Olympians at least a month before any competition starts.
Looking for a training venue that will accommodate the qualified athletes in the Japanese capital is another matter that the PSC is looking into.
“They will be in Tokyo before the Olympics starts. We will not be bringing athletes in just a matter of hours before they compete in the Olympics. This time, we will plan it out carefully. We will give them the support that they need,” said Ramirez.
The PSC chief said this is the initial plan of the PSI in the 2020 Olympics.
The PSI is set to be inaugurated on Jan. 16 Monday, at the Multipurpose Arena of the Philsports Complex in Pasig City.
Senator Manny Pacquiao will be the guest of honor, and he will take the place of President Duterte, who is busy attending to the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
The institution is finalizing plans to hire competent personnel who will assist national athletes better, and when they prepare to compete abroad.
National Training Director Marc Edward Velasco has been tasked to take the lead role in organizing the preparations of Olympic qualifiers and how they will be in Tokyo as early as possible.
His experience in helping Hong Kong win its first ever bronze medal in the Olympics in 2012 will be useful in this undertaking.