RP holds torch relay for YOG

MANILA, Philippines - The International Olympic Day Run on Sunday will play a special role as it hosts the first-ever Youth Olympic Games torch that arrived last Wednesday night for the Philippine leg.

Around 20 kids aged 13 and under will be selected during the day of the run at the Rajah Sulayman grounds in Malate, Manila to carry the torch as the country’s participation in ushering in the first staging of the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore this August.

“We are very excited and our countrymen can join in by registering as a 2K fun run entry,” said Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco Jr.

Youth Olympic Games chief of mission Mark Joseph of swimming indicated that some of the entries to the YOG may not be able to attend as they are still abroad either training or competing.

The POC has invited officials of national sports associations to be present for the event.

The torch runners will be included in the field of entries to the 2K, 13-under race sponsored by Hi-Smart vitamins. Hi-Smart will provide free commemorative shirts and vitamins for all participants in this division with the winner receiving P3,000 worth of gift certificates.

POC Sports for All Committee chair Joey Romasanta said that Magnolia is the official drinking water of the 2010 Olympic Day Run event backed by Milo Energy Drink and Unilever Philippines.

A P10,000 prize will be up for grabs in the centerpiece 10K race, which is also the top prize in the 5K race for individuals in wheelchairs.

Another 2K run is also open for people of all ages.

Private donors have provided a P10,000 worth of item as top raffle prize, a television set for second prize and three units of cellular phones for third prize.

The POC said it will admit late registrants before 5 a.m. with the race to be fired off at 6 a.m.