The Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) has decided to push its planned “triathlon race bubble” to early next year upon the advice of its tournament venue in New Clark City.
The sprint race event was supposed to be held this month, but was rescheduled to late January or early February next year after Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) advised it couldn’t host races this year due to the pandemic.
The race could have been this year’s first National Age Group Triathlon competition where national team members are seeking to build up for future international races including the 2021 Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam.
The initial plan was to hold a “bubble event” with only 100 participants under strict health protocols aligned with the World Triathlon procedures with those of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).
TRAP plans to have two swab tests for athletes and personnel before entry to the race venue: first with rapid antigen test, then swab test if the antigen test turns positive.
The organizers also plan to hold participants for three days on designated accommodation facilities before race day.
Though hosting races these days is challenging, the triathlon federation is optimistic it can do so for the benefit of local athletes seeking to return to competition.
At the 2019 SEAG that the country hosted, the PH triathlon team hauled three gold and two silver medals, including a 1-2 finish both in the men’s (John Chicano and Kim Remolino) and women’s individual (Kim Mangrobang and Kim Kilgroe).