PH teens book Winter Youth Olympics berths

No snow? No problem.

The Philippines proved that a season is no match for the spirit as three of the country’s rising talents punched tickets to the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics that gets going on Jan. 19 in Gangwon, South Korea.

Peter Joseph Groseclose, Avery Uriel Balbanida and Laetaz Amihan Rabe will carry the country’s hopes in the winter sports spectacle.

“I’m proud to announce the participation of our three teenagers to the Winter Youth Olympics,” Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said in a release sent to media offices on Monday. “We Filipinos have defied limitations and embraced the challenges of competing in winter sports through the years.”

Athletes’ events

“We’re living in a tropical country, but our spirit simply knows no boundaries. Our athletes are united in pursuing Olympic excellence and that’s also a testament to their Olympic spirit.”

Groseclose, 16, will try his luck in speed skating’s short track event. The other two representatives will compete in skiing, with the 14-year-old Baldanida vying in cross-country and Rabe, also 14, competing in free ski slopestyle and big air.

The Winter Games, featuring athletes aged 15 to 18, will run until Feb. 1

Ada Lacia Milby will serve as chef de mission and she’ll be accompanied to the Games by Philippine Skating Union president Nikki Cheng and Philippine Ski and Snowboard Federation secretary general Jezreel Apelar.