THE Philippine Sports Commission buckled down to work at the start of the new year to ready national athletes who will undergo bubble training for their bid to win slots in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, which was rescheduled from last year due to the coronavirus disease (Covid)-19 pandemic.

At least 46 athletes and coaches in boxing, taekwondo, and karatedo will be joining the bubble training at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna. These three are among the identified sports where Filipinos have the biggest chance to qualify in the Olympics and win medals, particularly, the much-coveted gold that has remained elusive for the Philippines.

PSC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez and Chef de Mission Nonong Araneta led the online briefing for those participating in the Olympic bubble training camp Thursday, January 7, underscoring the strict protocols that will be enforced for the entire duration of the activity.

Medical Scientific Athletes Services (MSAS) Unit head Dr. Randy Molo, in a PSC press statement, said athletes will undergo a series of RT-PCR testing prior to entry, upon entry, and several tests during the bubble training.

The boxing, taekwondo, karatedo teams are expected to arrive in Laguna on January 15, 16, and 17, respectively.

This is a welcome move as the athletes can now focus on just training and conditioning their minds and bodies for their respective Olympic qualifying tournaments for the Tokyo joust slated July 23 to August 8.

Working with their coaching staff face to face is way better than their virtual trainings while they were at home these past few months.

It can be recalled that the IATF approved on December 15, 2020 the recommendation to resume the national athletes' training for Tokyo Olympics qualifiers.

Mounting up any bubble training camp is a daunting task in itself and having one for our Olympic aspirants is even more challenging in the wake of the pandemic.

Since PSC executives put premium on the athletes and coaches' safety, we can all be rest assured that our Olympic hopefuls will be in good hands. Hoping that more Filipinos will make it to Tokyo to join early qualifiers boxers Eumir Felix Marcial and Irish Magno, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, and gymnast Carlos Yulo.