PH set to host Olympic qualifier for swimming

MANILA, February 17 ------ The Philippines will host a qualifying event for the Paris Olympics later this month, organizers have announced. The 11th Asian Age Group Championships will now serve as a qualifier to this year's Summer Games. The competition is set from Feb. 26 to March 9 at the New Clark City Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac. "Just two days ago, it has been declared na yun pong tournament ay Olympic Qualifying event for Paris," said organizing committee president and CEO Joseph ‘Jojit’ Alcazar, who was joined by COO Dave Carter and Philippine Aquatics Inc. secretary-general Eric Buhain at the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum. "That also means there will be world-class swimmers coming in and doing their best to make the qualifying times for Paris. So napakalaking opportunity ito to host and see these swimmers," said Buhain. "Bihirang-bihira na makakita tayo ng ganitong kalibreng mga atleta sa larangan ng aquatics na darating dito sa ating bansa." he added. 

Around 1,300 athletes from 31 countries are expected to come over and compete in the four disciplines at stake: swimming, diving, artistic swimming, and water polo. Buhain clarified though that only swimming serves as a qualifier to the Olympics. Nonetheless, organizers see a possible surge in the number of entries and countries participating leading to the event following the decision to make the event an Olympic qualifier. "Puwede pang lumobo ito dahil ngayon meron pang naghahabol na mapasali dito sa ating event," said Alcazar. 

A total of 44 swimmers – 22 boys and 22 girls – will comprise Team Philippines set to compete in the meet after being selected during the national tryouts held at the Teofilo Yldefonso swimming pool at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex late last year based on the World Aquatics qualifying points. Southeast Asian Games record holder Xiandi Chua and gold medalist Chloe Isleta lead the country’s bid in the tournament. Age-group events at stake are the 12-14, 15-17, and 18-and-above. Meanwhile, four men and women will represent the country in diving and two foreign-based Filipinos are going to compete in artistic swimming. 

Swimming competitions will be held from Feb. 26-29, diving from Feb. 26 to March 1, artistic swimming on March 2-6, and water polo on March 3-9. 

Source: news.abs-cbn.com