PH athletes gears up for action in Youth Olympic Games

MANILA — Members of Team Philippines spent Friday in Dakar shaking off jetlag and familiarizing themselves with the country and the weather. 

All Filipino athletes are accounted for in the Youth Olympic Games, with Friday being a non-competition day.

“I’ll go all out, this is my one and only opportunity in the YOG,” said 16-year-old Jade Justin Justiniane, the country’s sole entry in the windsurfing event that starts Sunday at Saly Beach West.

Justiniane’s coach, German Paz, said his athlete is “young but fearless” and is all set to represent the Philippines.

Maritanya Krog, also the sole entry in cycling’s women’s individual time trial and road race, was all smiles as she exited the arrival area of the Blaise Diagne International Airport in Diamniado with national team coaches Mark John Lexer Galido and Marita Lucas and her teammates in other sports on Thursday night.

“We have yet to see the route and the other participants, but I feel I’m ready,” said Krog, 17.

Naomi Marjorie Cesar arrived Tuesday and was already warmed up for the women’s 800 meters semifinals of athletics on Saturday at the Complexe Iba Mar Diop Stadium.

Her fellow runner, Pi Durden Wangkay, used Friday to familiarize himself with the weather and the competition.

“It’s been really good, but it’s a little hotter than I expected,” said Cesar, a gold medalist in the 800-m in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games.

“The village’s been great and I’m really excited on this opportunity to represent the Philippines, it’s something to be proud of,” she added.

Also looking over Wangkay and Cesar here are Wangkay’s personal coach and mom Jonah Genilza and national athletics association secretary-general Jasper Tanhueco.