Manila, Philippines, May 21, 2020: Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino will lend a hundred bicycles to national athletes who don’t have the means to travel to and from their training venues.
“With the new normal which mandates that we find new ways to go about our daily business, national athletes who do not have a personal mode of transportation will surely benefit from this,” said Tolentino, also the president of the national federation for cycling, PhilCycling.
“Cycling is not only a healthy way to get from one point to another, it also promotes social distancing, not to mention avoiding traffic jams,” he added.
Tolentino sought the POC Board’s approval for the provision for 100 bicycles that would be made available to members of the various national teams.
But with only a hundred bicycles available, the POC would implement a first-come, first-served policy for interested athletes. There are at least a thousand national team members in 56 sports under the POC umbrella.
“We need to be innovative so the POC is looking for ways so that our athletes would stay fit and ready for competitions once the situation allows it,” Tolentino said.
“Whether to commute to and from their training venues, or even for leisure, cycling is a good way for our national athletes to keep in good physical condition,” the Cavite congressman added.
The POC’s offer came a day after the PhilCycling engaged in an endeavor to make the bicycle the “king of the road” or the safest mode of transportation while the entire world is threatened by the Covid-19 virus.