PSI to be launched as quest for Tokyo 2020 begins

As the dust settles from the recent Olympic competition, the Philippine Sports Commission is not leaving anything to chance as it gears up to make its mark in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

This time around, the Commission puts its best foot forward for such task as it inaugurates the Philippine Sports Institute (PSI) on January 16 at the Multi-Purpose Arena (MPA) of the PhilSports Complex in Pasig City.

PSC Chairman William Ramirez said the PSI has already laid out plans as its initial preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

He added that the institute intends to hire more competent people to better assist our athletes when they compete abroad, which will be a new norm.

“We will be hiring more people. Definitely every time our national athletes compete internationally, we will send a full team of sports medicine personnel to support team,” said Ramirez.

The PSC Chairman added that for the Tokyo Olympics, they plan to look for a training venue in the Japanese capital to better prepare the athletes.

“This way, our Olympians will acclimatize ideally during the time of Olympics. Between August and September, they will travel in Tokyo to be able to get used to the weather, the people, mode of transportation and traffic, the lifestyle there. So by 2020, our athletes will be there earlier. I think this will be the earliest. We are talking here of months, or minimum of 6 weeks.” said Ramirez.

“They (Olympians) will be in Tokyo before the Olympics starts. We will not be bringing athletes in just a matter of hours before they compete sa Olympics. This time we will plan it out carefully. We will give them the support that they need. That is just the initial salvo of PSI in 2020 Olympics,” he added.

Moreover, the Commission has earmarked a large sum to purchase equipment that will help in the athletes’ training. This new equipment will be part of PSI’s services to the athletes.

“PSI will have its mark in the field of sports science support to our elite athletes. PSC has earmarked big amount to purchase equipments that will help athletes in their training, better equipment in our Strength and Conditioning Gym. We will have more diagnostic equipment for

them to help injured athletes. And even help the training ng mga athletes natin,” said Ramirez.

For his part, PSI national training director Marc Edward Velasco said PSI also plans to bring in experts from abroad to assist in our sports development program.

“This time around we are not limiting ourselves to PSC premises. We are going out: (we have) Russia, China, the Koreans are actually reaching out to us asking us how they can help us,” said Velasco.

Philstar.com