NEW CLARK CITY, Tarlac, Philippines — The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the international governing body for athletics, has given a Class 1 certification on the Athletics Stadium of the rising metropolis here.
This means that the Philippines can now use the stadium to host “Tier-1 athletics competitions like the SEA Games, Asian Games and even the Olympics.”
The first venue of such scale built in the country since the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in 1927, the 20,000-seater Athletics Stadium boasts a nine-lane main track and indoor and outdoor warm-up tracks equipped with IAAF-approved Rekortan M sandwich synthetic surface system.
“When I first saw the new facility, I wanted to be an athlete again. During our time, we didn’t have this kind of equipment. I wanted to train again,” said Phl team coach Sean Guevarra, who once set the national record in men’s high-jump.
The stadium also showcases an Aquatic Center with a pool that is at par with what was used during the 2012 London Olympics. Other facilities in the area include an Athletes’ Village and a River Park.