Two swimmers officially make Philippines Tokyo cast

MANILA, Philippines — Swimmers Luke Gebbie and Remedy Rule have been allotted Tokyo Olympics slots via universality places that officially hiked the Philippine delegation to the quadrennial event to 19.

Both made the cut in two events apiece with Fil-Kiwi Gebbie to plunge into action in the 50-meter and 100m freestyle and Fil-Am Rule to compete in the 200m butterfly and freestyle in the pool competition set July 24 to Aug. 1.

“Wonderful news,” Philippine Swimming, Inc. (PSI) president Lailani Velasco told The STAR.

The qualification of Gebbie and Rule was made official via a one-page letter Velasco received from International Swimming Federation (FINA) Organizing Swimming Entries Coordinator Pedro Adrega last Thursday.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham Tolentino lauded all the athletes and said the country is ready to compete in the Games, slated July 23 to Aug. 8.

“In three weeks, the urn in Tokyo will be burning and Team Philippines, from the athletes and coaches down to the secretariat, is ready for action,” said Tolentino.