This picture taken on May 21, 2021 shows Olympic weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz of the Philippines lifting weights during a training session in Jasin in the Malaysian city of Malacca. (Photo by Mohd RASFAN / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines—Olympians training outside the Philippines will get their COVID-19 vaccine sets in their host countries, Philippine Olympic Committee said Thursday.
“I’d like to express my gratitude to all our NOC [national olympic committee] neighbors for helping our athletes to get vaccinated,” said POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.
Hidilyn Diaz already received the first dose of her vaccine and is set to get the second in Malaysia while Carlos Yulo and his coach Munehiro Kugimiya will be inoculated in Japan.
Tolentino said the Japan Olympic Committee and the Japanese Gymnastics Association assured him and Gymnastics Association of the Philippines President Cynthia Carrion-Norton that Yulo will be vaccinated in Japan.
FILE — World champion Carlos Edriel Yulo during the 30th SEA Games. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Boxers Nesthy Petecio, Irish Magno, and Carlo Paalam will also be vaccinated in Thailand together with their coaches Donald Abnett, Nolito “Boy” Velasco, Ronald Chavez, Elmer Pamisa and Reynaldo Galido.
Rogen Ladon, Ian Clark Bautista, James Palicte, Marjon Piañar, Risa Pasuit and Aira Villegas—who are also training in Thailand—will be included in the vaccination program.
“Although vaccine is not mandatory in the Olympics, we cannot put the well-being and health of our athletes at risk,” said Tolentino. “Once you’re tested positive, you’re automatically out of the competition.”
Tolentino added that the POC is reaching out to pole vaulter EJ Obiena to get his vaccines in Italy.
Rower Cris Nievarez already got his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on May 28 in Manila.
Taekwondo jin Kurt Barbosa and skateboarder Margielyn Didal will get their first dose this month.