 |
| EJ Obiena has been tapped as one of the two flag bearers for the Philippine Olympic team. |
MANILA--EJ Obiena and Kiyomi Watanabe will carry the Philippine flag for the opening ceremonies of the Tokyo Olympics on July 23.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino announced on Thursday that Obiena, the world ranked number six male pole vaulter, and Watanabe, the country's best female judoka right now, have been chosen to be the flag bearers for the event that will formally begin the Olympiad.
"We based our selection on the availability--kung sino ang andoon na dahil 'di tayo sabay-sabay darating doon--and the schedule of their games and practice," Tolentino explained how Obiena and Watanabe got the nod.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremonies will be a unique one.
"Ang in-allow lang po sa parada ay anim na prime team officials," Tolentino revealed, adding that he himself will not join the parade.
The officials who will join Obiena and Watanabe in the opening ceremonies as revealed by Tolentino are Lani Velasco of swimming, Cynthia Carrion-Norton of gymnastics, Nonito Velasco of boxing, Daniel Bautista of skateboarding, Dave Carter of judo, and Nonong Araneta of football, who is tasked as the Philippine team's chef de mission.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
.jpg)
