Filipino athletes arrive in Tokyo, settle in Olympic village
Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz with boxers Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Marcial inside the Olympic Village in Tokyo. HIDILYN DIAZ INSTAGRAM
MANILA, Philippines–Filipino Olympians have started to arrive in Tokyo with only four days to go before the opening of the pandemic-delayed Summer Games.
The Filipino athletes and their respective teams have also settled inside the Olympic Village, where the rest of the Olympians are billeted.
Article continues after this advertisementPhilippine flags and banners decorate the floor where the Filipino delegation is staying.
In a series of Instagram posts, four-time Olympian weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz has met with her fellow athletes, posing photos with weightlifter Elreen Ando, gymnast Carlos Yulo and boxers Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam.
The Filipino boxers arrived over the weekend.
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Petecio also showed a peek of the Olympic Plaza, the central hub for athletes, saying she’s enjoying her first day inside the Olympic Village.
Swimmers Remedy Rule and Luke Gebbie, meanwhile, got their feet wet at Tokyo Aquatics Center on Monday in preparation for their events.
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Shooter Jayson Valdez, taekwondo jin Kurt Barbosa and rower Cris Nievarez have also joined the contingent in Tokyo.
Nievarez also began his training at Sea Forest Waterway, the venue for the rowing and canoeing events, on Sunday.
Other Filipino Olympians, who had been training outside Japan, are expected to arrive in the coming days.
Skateboarder Margielyn Didal and track star Kristina Knott are currently in-transit to Tokyo, as seen in their social media posts.
Pole vaulter EJ Obiena and golfer Juvic Pagunsan will be planing in on opening day while golfers Yuka Saso and Bianca Pagdanganan are expected on July 29. The women’s golf tournament begins on August 4.
With no fans and limited athletes due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Summer Games kick off on Friday with the Parade of the Nations at Japan National Stadium.
Marcial and judoka Kiyomi Watanabe will serve as flag bearers for the Philippines during the ceremony.
