EJ Obiena, 8 other Pinoy athletes granted Olympic Solidarity scholarships by IOC

Pole vaulter EJ Obiena led the list of Filipino athletes who received Olympic Solidarity scholarships from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) announced on Thursday.

According to POC president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino, aside from the world no. 6 vaulter, also granted the scholarship were golfer Rianne Malixi, weightlifter Elreen Ando, fencer Samantha Catantan, boxers Aira Villegas and Rogen Ladon, cycling ace Patrick Coo, skateboarder Jericho Francisco, and wrestler Allen Arcilla.

Except for Obiena, all the chosen athletes were endorsed by their respective national sports association (NSA).

"The POC wishes to congratulate these nine promising athletes for earning scholarships as they focus on their qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics," Tolentino said in a statement.

"This is the first time that our country had such number of scholars."

Under the scholarships, Tolentino said each of the athletes is set to receive a grant of $833 a month until the Paris 2024 Olympics.

It also includes an athlete's needs for competitions such as access to appropriate training facilities, a coach who specializes in their respective disciplines, regular medical and scientific assistance and control, accident and illness insurance.

Board and lodging costs, pocket money, and travel costs for the athletes' participation in relevant competitions and Paris 2024 qualification events are also part of the privilege.

"All these athletes need to do is to focus on their training and set their goal toward the Paris Olympics," Tolentino said.

The Olympic Solidarity Scholarship is a program intended to help elite athletes selected by their mother federation in preparation for the Summer Games, which is slated from July 26 to August 11, 2024.

—Bea Micaller/MGP, GMA News