A tightened royal security lockdown in Bangkok will prevent the 61-member athletics delegation, including pole vault star EJ Obiena, from joining the parade of nations at the Southeast Asian Games opening ceremony on Tuesday night. Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino confirmed the development after the SEA Games Federation Council meeting on Monday, December 8.

Tolentino said the presence of Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn at Rajamangala Stadium has triggered heightened security protocols across the city. He explained that airports and key access routes were placed under lockdown hours before the ceremony, leaving the Philippine athletics contingent stuck upon arrival.

Officials added to parade to cover missing athletes

With the athletics team unable to make it in time, Tolentino said the POC was forced to include additional officials in the march to fill the country’s allocated parade slots. They will be wearing tracksuits and sneakers to represent the 61 athletes who will miss the ceremony.

Tolentino emphasized that the situation was unavoidable given the royal security plan. He added that the Philippines’ overall delegation count for the parade was increased to around 200 to compensate for the absence of the track and field squad.

PH looks to surpass 58-gold haul from last SEAG

Despite the setback, Tolentino expressed optimism about the country’s campaign in the two-week, 11-nation sports event. He said surpassing the 58 gold medals won in Cambodia in 2023 would already be a welcome achievement.

The flag-raising ceremony for all participating nations was held earlier on Monday at Huamark National Stadium. The Philippines placed fifth in the previous edition behind Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia.