POC to replace EJ Obiena as PH flag bearer in Tokyo Olympics due to rules change

The Philippine Olympic Committee will replace pole vaulter EJ Obiena as the country's male flag bearer in the Tokyo Olympics due to changes of the protocols set by the organizers.

POC president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino bared the development on Tuesday, saying Tokyo organizers had implemented a new set of rules where flag bearers should be in the venue 48 hours before the Parade of Nations set on July 23.

Obiena, however, will only arrive at 12:30 pm on July 23 and, as per Tolentino, could encounter some delay once he lands at the airport and might not make it to the opening rites which will start at 8 p.m.

"I already made a heads up to the athletics (federation) that, for sure, we  might replace our male flag bearer because of those reasons and development in Tokyo," Tolentino shared on Tuesday's webcast of Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA).

"One of our options was to have his flight rebooked but they said we can't do that because we have submitted the activity plan. We didn't expect that it would come to this."

Tolentino said they have yet to decide who will come in as Obiena's replacement but said they will announce it by Wednesday or Thursday.

"I have to talk to the officials and check again the schedules. We base it on the schedule of the games and practice games and availability," the official said.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News