Filipino speed skater bags spot in 2020 Winter Youth Olympics

OLYMPICS BOUND. Photo from Julian Macaraeg’s Facebook account.

Speed skater Julian Macaraeg has made history as the country’s first participant in the Winter Youth Olympic Games.

The 14-year-old from New York secured a spot in the 2020 Winter YOG in Lausanne, Switzerland with a performance to remember in the ISU Junior World Short Track Championships in Montreal, Canada.

The Philippine Skating Union headed by Josie Veguillas confirmed that Macaraeg met the qualifying time of 42 seconds in the 500 meters that allowed him to climb the world junior rankings at No. 42.

Macaraeg also finished as the finest Southeast Asian skater in both the 500- and 1,000-meter qualifications.

The PSU is looking forward to book another qualifier to the Winter YOG when fellow speed skater Marc Gonzales aims to meet the standard in the Junior Grand Prix events together with Filipino figure skaters.

Macaraeg has positioned himself in following the footsteps of two-time winter Olympian Michael Martinez, who made a name for himself by qualifying the 2014 and 2018 Winter Games.