2 days ago
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Joey Villar - The Philippine Star
July 3, 2024 | 12:00am
POC president Abraham Tolentino with rower Joannie Delgaco, weightlifter Vanessa Sarno and boxer Aira Villegas.
STAR / File
MANILA, Philippines — With a small administrative team attending the Paris Olympics-bound Filipino athletes that he’s heading, Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino has his hands full.
“Tatay na tatay,” said Tolentino of his role as caretaker of the national team that is in the final stage of Olympic buildup in a training camp in Metz, France.
The Philippine bets are making full use of the privilege no Team Philippines has ever experienced ahead of an Olympic participation.
No Philippine delegation arrived in earnest for an Olympic campaign until for these Paris Games – a brainchild of Tolentino.
With help from training director Nico Huelgas and POC secretary-general Wharton Chan, Tolentino has been doing most of the errands for the squad including doing the market duties himself once every four days.
Tolentino has been with the delegation from the moment they left the country 10 days ago and should also be with them for the competition proper itself slated July 26 to Aug. 11.
The first Sunday in Metz saw the team attending Holy Mass at the St. Bernard Church with members of the Filipino community, Department of Moselle and the Philippine Embassy in France.
