Paris-bound athletics team in final stage of training

MANILA – Pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena and hurdlers Lauren Hoffman and John Cabang-Tolentino are now in the final stages of their training in Europe, all geared up for the Paris Olympic Games that officially kicks off July 26.

Obiena is attending training camp in Italy with Ukrainian coach Vitaly Petrov, Dr. Antonio Guglieta (osteopath) and Dr. Sheryl Casuga (sports psychologist).

Tolentino, currently in Spain with his coach, and Fil-American Hoffman will join the Philippine delegation at the Metz training facility in France either on July 23 or 24.

"We're positive about our chances. I don't want to put pressure on these guys. But we know they've been training hard for them to reach this stage," Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) secretary general said Jasper Tanhueco during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila on Tuesday.

"We just need to believe in our athletes. We're confident they will perform at the highest level. They're not there to participate but hopefully win medals for our country," he added.

Tanhueco said there's no official word yet when the Philippine delegation will be completed in Paris.

The world No. 2 Obiena will compete in the preliminary stage on Aug. 3 at Stade de France. The finals will be on Aug. 5.

The track and field heats are scheduled on Aug. 4, with Hoffman to see action in the women's 400-m hurdles at 12:30 p.m. (6:30 p.m., PH time), and Tolentino in the men's 110-meter at 11 a.m. (5 p.m., PH time).

Miguel White was the last Filipino to win a track and field medal in the Olympics when he got the men's 400m hurdles bronze in Berlin (1936). (PNA)