The government has given the green light to the country's hosting of the Israeli's national swimming team's training for the Tokyo Olympics.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases however reminded the Philippine Swimming Incorporated to ensure such training of the visiting Israeli swimmers at New Clark City will comply with government's health regulations against the coronavirus disease.
"Inaprubahan din po ng inyong IATF ng request ng Philippine Swimming, Inc., na i-host ang Israeli national swimming team para sa kanilang pre-Olympic training sa ilalim ng sports bubble format sa New Clark City Aquatic Center sa Capaz, Tarlac mula a-otso hanggang bente uno ng Hulyo ngayong taon (The IATF approve the request of the Philippine Swimming Incorporated to host the Israeli national swimming team for their pre- Olympic training under a sports bubble format at the New Clark City Aquatics Center, Capas, Tarlac from 8 to 21 July 2021," Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said during a televised press briefing Tuesday, June 29.
"Kailangan nilang sumunod sa health at safety protocols (They have to follow the health and safety protocols)," he said.
Roque took pride of the country's hosting of the training of the Israeli swimming team due to the modern facilities here.
"Dati tayo ang nagti-train sa ibang bansa dahil wala tayong facilities. Ngayon, ang mga dayuhan po ang nagti-train sa ating mga facilities (Before we train abroad because we have no facilities, the foreigners are now training in our facilities)," he said.
The 2020 Tokyo Olympics have been postponed for a year due to concerns arising from the coronavirus pandemic. The global sporting event will open on July 23, 2021.
Last May, the IATF allowed the country's hosting of the national selection meet at the New Clark City's aquatic center. The sporting event was held under the bubble type format where athletes are expected to live and train in an isolated place under health and safety protocols.
The government also previously allowed athletes bound for Tokyo Olympics and the South East Asian (SEA) Games to resume their bubble-type training.