POC says Japan decision to postpone Olympics ”the right decision”

March 25, 2020

The Philippine Olympic Committee ( POC) said on Wednesday Japan's announcement that it was postponing the 2020 Olympics to 2021 was '' the right decision.''

''''It is the right decision-- for athletes, officials, organizers and spectators. For our (everybody/Philippines) and (global) safety,'' said POC president and Cavite Rep. Abraham Tolentino in a message to reporters.

'' Its (postponement) better because it is not cancellation of the Games,'' added Tolentino.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan announced Wednesday evening that the Olympics will be postponed to 2021 due to the spread of the coronavirus disease.

Abe spoke to International Olympic Committee ( IOC) president Thomas Bach before making the decision.

Tolentino also said the postponement would give Filipino athletes more time to prepare for the Olympics and hopefully win the country's first gold medal.

''We have a chance to win medals for those who qualified because they can train more and have a chance to qualify,'' he added.

The Philippines hinges its gold medal hopes on Carlos Yulo, world champion in gymnastics' floor exercise who is training in Tokyo. 

Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, winner of the country's third Olympic silver medal four years ago in Rio de Janiero, is honing up in Malaysia while pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena, the Universiade champion, is in a training facility in Italy. DMS