Nimes camp set up for six PH para bets to train, taper off

The Philippine contingent for the Paralympic Games in Paris starting Aug. 28 will have a considerable period to get acclimatized as they set up camp in Nimes, France, two weeks before the opening ceremonies.

The 10-day stay at a sports facility in the southern French city serves not only as their tapering period but the opportunity to shake off the jet lag due to a long flight from Manila.

Delegation officials will also make sure that all six bets that will see action in swimming, athletics, archery and taekwondo will be properly fed and would not need to make adjustments to their eating habits.

“I was told that rice is available in Asian stores, so we will cook our meals,’’ said swimming coach Tony Ong. “This is very important, because we need to make sure our athletes eat there properly.’’

Rice is not popular in French cuisine which is made up mostly of baguettes and croissants as sources of carbohydrates.

Para swimmers Ernie Gawilan and Angel Otom will leave for Nimes on Aug. 11 and enter the Paralympic Village in Paris on Aug. 21 along with thrower Cendy Asusano, wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan, taekwondo’s Allain Ganapin and archer Agustina Bantiloc.

Originally, a monthlong training camp for the para athletes was initially discussed, but they instead preferred to do a shorter camp for tapering—the practice of reducing exercise in the days just before an important competition. INQ