By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Deputy House Speaker Mikee Romero filed a resolution to classify the PH athletes who will compete in the upcoming 2021 Tokyo Olympics and the Southeast Asian Games as top recipients of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“Vaccine is a must for the Tokyo Olympics, so I’m espousing a House resolution prioritizing the Philippine athletes,” said Romero.
If the resolution will be approved, it will classify the competing PH athletes as frontliners or among those to receive the first batch of the vaccine.
The vaccines will arrive in the country in March or April and will just be in time as the prized PH athletes’ participation in the Olympics will be from July 23 to August 8.
Four athletes from the PH have already secured their seats in the Olympics and are sure receivers of the first batch of vaccines once the resolution is approved.
Pole vaulter EJ Obiena, boxers Irish Magno and Eumir Marcial, and gymnast Carlos Yulo are currently undergoing individual training in their respective camps.
“This is a chance of a lifetime for our athletes and the country to win an Olympic gold. And what we can do is to mitigate [their risk] by giving them vaccines,” added Romero.
Aside from the four athletes, those who will also vie for Tokyo spots and the current members training in the PSC bubble will also be inoculated first.
