Bambol Tolentino is glad that the IOC postponed the Tokyo Olympics. Ivan Saldajeno (file photo) |
MANILA--POC president Bambol Tolentino expressed his support about the final decision made by the IOC and the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee to postpone the Summer Olympics to next year.
"It’s the right decision—for athletes, officials, organizers and spectators," Tolentino said in a statement on Wednesday. "[This is]for our safety."
IOC member Dick Pound first announced on Tuesday that the Tokyo Olympics have been postponed to 2021, and IOC president Thomas Bach and Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe made it official through an agreement made during a conference call later in the day.
The continuous novel coronavirus disease pandemic forced the postponement of the Olympics along with many qualifying tournaments.
Tolentino then reiterated that the postponement is the best option at this moment.
"It’s better because it is not cancellation of the Games," he further stated.
Tolentino then said that the postponement would mean more time for the Philippine athletes to improve their game as they vie for the elusive gold medal.
"May chance pa rin tayo sa medals for those who qualified because they can train more and chance to qualify more," he added.
Only four athletes, namely pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnast Caloy Yulo, and boxers Eumir Marcial and Irish Magno, have formally punched their way to Tokyo at the moment.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno_
IOC member Dick Pound first announced on Tuesday that the Tokyo Olympics have been postponed to 2021, and IOC president Thomas Bach and Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe made it official through an agreement made during a conference call later in the day.
The continuous novel coronavirus disease pandemic forced the postponement of the Olympics along with many qualifying tournaments.
Tolentino then reiterated that the postponement is the best option at this moment.
"It’s better because it is not cancellation of the Games," he further stated.
Tolentino then said that the postponement would mean more time for the Philippine athletes to improve their game as they vie for the elusive gold medal.
"May chance pa rin tayo sa medals for those who qualified because they can train more and chance to qualify more," he added.
Only four athletes, namely pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnast Caloy Yulo, and boxers Eumir Marcial and Irish Magno, have formally punched their way to Tokyo at the moment.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno_