National bets briefed on Olympic training bubble rules

Briefing with national athletes headed to the PSC training bubble in Laguna. PSC PHOTO

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) gave Tokyo Olympic aspirants from boxing, taekwondo and karatedo a virtual walk through of the Olympic training bubble they are about to enter at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna province in the next few days.

All 46 athletes and coaches have been well informed of the strict protocols crafted by the PSC’s Medical Scientific Athletes Services unit during the briefing on Thursday as preparations are being readied to maintain the integrity of the bubble.

“We called for this meeting to emphasize the safety protocols you will be needing for this Olympic training bubble,’’ said PSC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez, who presided over the digital orientation with Olympic Philippines chef de mission Nonong Araneta.

“I am confident that we can all adjust to this, but you have to know that your safety is paramount to the PSC,’’ Fernandez added.

The athletes will go through a series of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction testing and encouraged everyone to restrict movement 14 days before entry and limited interactions seven days prior to their accommodation inside the bubble.

They will continue to be tested on a regular basis while inside the bubble.

The national pugs are slated to arrive at Inspire on Jan. 15 followed by the taekwondo and karate teams in the next two days, respectively.

According to Karate Pilipinas president Ricky Lim, his athletes will stay inside the bubble for less than a month since they will leave for Lisbon, Portugal, on Feb. 14 to participate in the World Karate Federation Premier League.

Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines secretary general Ed Picson said the Philippine boxing team is also planning to set up a training camp in Thailand and will proceed as soon as they have been cleared to travel.Last Dec. 15, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases approved the resumption of training for the PH team qualifying for the Games.