Beijing Winter Olympics still on says IOC despite latest COVID-19 spike

POC president Bambol Tolentino was in attendance during the IOC meeting on Wednesday. POC
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--As it stands, there is no stopping the Winter Olympics from pushing through even if some countries are experiencing COVID-19 spikes.

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said in the governing body's meeting on Wednesday that the quadrennial meet will still happen as scheduled from Feb. 4-20 in Beijing.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino, who attended the meeting online, confirmed the development the day after.

This year's games will be a unique one as everyone joining will be entering a bubble as part of COVID-19 protocols.

Game-related staff, volunteers, cleaners, cooks, and coach drivers have begun coming in since Tuesday.

Meanwhile, some 3,000 athletes from all around the world will also enter the bubble in the coming days.

Fully vaccinated athletes, officials, and journalists will be given quick entry to the bubble, while the non-vaccinated ones will first undergo a three-week quarantine before they can enter assuming they remain safe from COVID-19.

The Philippines will be represented in the Winter Olympics by alpine skier Asa Miller.

Miller will be participating in the men's slalom and the giant slalom events.

According to the POC, seven people will join him in Beijing, his coach, his trainer, chef de mission, Athletes Village administration officer, COVID-19 protocol officer, and a representative from the Philippine Ski and Snowboard Federation.

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