MOST may find Baguio City's cold temperature appealing but the freezing temperature experienced this time of the year is quite a big challenge to the visiting athletes set to compete in the upcoming 2015 Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association Meet.
Just before the annual regional sports contest officially kicks off this Saturday, a female athlete from Apayao suffered from hypothermia during their practice rounds at the Baguio swimming pool Wednesday afternoon.
Cathy Grace Zuniga, a fourth year student from Pudtol Vocational High School, was given immediate medical attention by the Baguio City Emergency Medical Service (BCEMS) when her body heat dangerously went low after being submerged in the cold water for 20 minutes.
The 15-year-old tanker said she managed to perform her normal 40-meter rounds before she felt some difficulty in breathing then eventually sensed lack of coordination in her body movements.
"Nakapag-practice pa ako ng konti pero bigla na lang akong nahirapan huminga, hindi ko maigalaw ang mga parte ng katawan ko, at talagang ramdam ko na sobrang nilalamig ako," Zuniga told Sun.Star Baguio.
According to Apayao swimming coach Jerome Pulido, they advised all their athletes to do warm-up activities before engaging the facility's cold water but the sudden drop in temperature was poorly accepted by Zuniga's body.
"We gave instructions that all our swimmers do warm-up activities before going into the water. Unfortunately talagang malamig ang tubig sa swimming pool kaya siguro nabigla ang katawan ng isa sa mga athletes namin," Pulido said.
Despite the incident, Pulido confirmed Zuniga is good to compete this Sunday.
"She has recovered walang major [effect], which will cause her to withdraw from the competition," Pulido said.
"Pero at least it made all of the coaching staff ng Apayao be aware and double precautions lalo na at temperature in Baguio may suddenly drop as low as 11 degrees Celsius," he added.
Meanwhile, City Sports Coordinator Gaudencio Gonzales said the installment of the new heating machine for the city owned sports facility is being rushed before CARAA.
"We are expecting the contractor for the project to finish the installment of the machine by Saturdaymorning. Unfortunately, late kasi ang naging approval ng project from the city officials last year," Gonzales said.
In 2014, the City Council permitted the allocation of P8 million for the replacement of the damaged heating system of the swimming pool.
The project started in January.
"The contractor assured that the new heating system will be fully functional for the week-long sports contest," Gonzales said.
"We believe they will stand up to their promise kasi according sa project contract their deadline is February 7. If they cannot meet the requirements probably hindi sila babayaran ng city," he added.
According to Gonzales the city owned sports facility has been dead with its heating system since it was totally broken in 2010.