Bambol, Lappartient magkasangga

MANILA, Philippines — Mas lalong tumibay ang samahan nina Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino at David Lappartient — na parehong heads ng National Olympic Committee (NOC) at cycling federation.

Nagkita ang dalawa sa Harbin, China kung saan naging maganda ang pag-uusap nina Tolentino at Lappartient para sa pagpapalakas sa cycling at ilang mga detalye patungkol naman sa International Olympic Committee (IOC).

“From a casual conversation—hellos and how are you?—to the more significant topics concerning cycling and the forthcoming IOC presidential elections,” ani Tolentino na presidente ng Philippine Olympic Committee at PhilCycling.

Kasama si Tolentino sa delegasyon ng Pilipinas sa 9th Asian Winter Games sa Harbin, China.

“As an active national federation of the UCI (International Cycling Union, which Lappartient heads as president), Dave (Lappartient) conscientiously asked about cycling in the Philippines and expressed full support to our track prog­ram,” dagdag ni Tolentino.

Masayang ibinalita ni Tolentino ang ginagawang world-class indoor velodrome sa Tagaytay City na nakakuha ng positibong reaksiyon mula kay Lappartient.

“He was just too happy to learn that an indoor UCI-standard velodrome in Tagaytay City will be ope­rational in a few months,” ani Tolentino.

Ginagawa na ang velodrome sa Tagaytay City na inaasahang matatapos sa kalagitnaan ng taon.

“Dave also got serious about the IOC elections in March, stressing on his program for the world’s top sporting organization,” ani Tolentino.

Isa si Lappartient sa pitong kandidato na nagnanais maging IOC president kapalit ni outgoing chief Thomas Bach.