EJ will hit peak form in Paris?

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino expressed full confidence pole-vault ace EJ Obiena will hit peak form and vie for a medal in the competition that matters most – the Paris Olympiad.

Over the weekend, Obiena managed 5.75 meters and missed a podium finish in the Diamond League’s stop in the French capital against most of his rivals for Olympic glory, led by Swedish titan Armand Duplantis (6.0m), who reigned supreme, and American Sam Kendricks (5.95m) and Frenchman Thibaut Collet (5.85m), who took second and third, respectively.

But Tolentino isn’t worried one bit.

“EJ is doing well and is very focused despite missing out on a medal in the Diamond League in Paris,” said Tolentino, who had a brief chat with the world No. 2 pole-vaulter Tuesday night.

To get him entrenched on French soil in the next couple of weeks before hostilities begin Aug. 3 (preliminaries) at the 81,000-seat Stade de France, arrangements have been made for Obiena and his team led by renowned Ukranian coach Vitaly Petrov at the Normandy Sports Centre, which is only a two-hour drive from Paris.

“After the Diamond League, EJ and his team will remain in France and no longer return to their base in Formia (Italy),” said Tolentino.

And to keep Obiena’s focus solely on the Olympics rumble, Tolentino assigned a team from the POC secretariat to be stationed in Normandy to make sure the reigning Asian kingpin gets needed support for his pre-tournament buildup.

At the same time, he assured Obiena of the presence of his parents, Emerson and Jeannette, to help manage his logistical needs and provide support and inspiration.

Obiena is among the brightest prospects for the 22-strong Team Philippines, which is aiming to sustain the momentum from Hidilyn Diaz’ historic gold last time.

After placing 11th with a 5.70m mark in the previous edition in Tokyo in 2021, Obiena has improved by leaps and bounds over the next few years and breached the 6-meter plateau twice.