POC begs Yulo camp: Let champ play in Asian Games

May 29, 2023 Times Europe

POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino (right) knows Carlos Yulo can bag several gold medals in the Asian Games if he sees action there. —TEAM PHILIPPINES PHOTO

Gymnastics fireball Carlos Yulo has already opted to skip the 19th Asian Games (Asiad) to participate in an essential global-level tournament that could set the groundwork for his 2024 Paris Olympics bid in motion.

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) hopes that decision changes.

“All the members of the POC general assembly are begging for gymnastics to consider [letting Yulo play] in the Asian Games,’’ said POC president Abraham “Bambol’’ Tolentino.

The Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) headed by Cynthia Carrion announced over a month ago that Yulo cannot make it to the Asiad, which is slated Sept. 23 to Oct. 8, since the Hangzhou, China, multisport meet will run in conflict with the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.

Scheduled in Antwerp, Belgium, on Sept. 29 to Oct. 8, the world gymnastics championships is a qualifier to the 2024 Olympics in the glitzy French capital.

“The POC wants Carlos to play in the Asian Games. We’ve already asked the gymnastics association to look for other Olympic qualifying events,’’ said Tolentino, who presided over the recent POC General Assembly.

“(Gymnastics head) Cynthia (Carrion) said they will study their options, but didn’t give a commitment,’’ added the Tagaytay City mayor and three-time Cavite representative.

Besides the world championships, Yulo can try his luck in at least two more Olympic qualification tournaments—the 2024 Apparatus World Cup Series from January to March next year and the 2024 continental championships set April to May. INQ

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