Manila, Philippines, February 2, 2023: The Philippine Olympic Committee has announced their training base in France ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said the team would be based in Metz, in the northeast of France, for two months before heading to Paris.
The team will include the Philippines’ first gold medallist in Olympic history at Tokyo 2020, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, as well as pole vault hope EJ Obiena, gymnast Caloy Yulo and members of the boxing team.
Obiena trains in Italy and Yulo in Japan and both athletes are expected to challenge for a podium place in Paris after missing out in Tokyo.
“We in the POC are making sure our qualified athletes are well prepared and acclimatized for the Paris Olympics,” the POC President said.
Tolentino and La Moselle President Patrick Weiten signed the Memorandum of Understanding in a ceremony intended to be formal and simple and which was attended by local French media.
The MoU covers the use of sports facilities as well as accommodation and food for Filipino athletes who will qualify for the Games.
“The qualified athletes will train here for two months before the Olympics open,” Tolentino said.