More than 500 students from three schools in Tagaytay City took part in sports activities as the Philippine Olympic Committee led its annual Olympic Day celebration at the Tagaytay CT Velodrome. The gathering brought together young participants for a full day of sports clinics and Olympic-themed engagement.

The event featured training sessions in boxing, basketball, football, baseball, taekwondo, and wrestling, guided by national sports association officials and coaches. The initiative aimed to introduce children to different sports while promoting active lifestyles and discipline through play.

POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino led the celebration, underscoring the importance of Olympic Day in promoting the global values of sport. He emphasized that the occasion is part of a worldwide movement that honors the founding of Olympism in 1894.

Tolentino also highlighted the broader purpose of the program, noting its role in encouraging children to stay active and away from excessive gadget use. He added that events like this can also help uncover future athletes who may represent the country on the Olympic stage.

Grassroots Sports Push

The Olympic Day celebration placed strong focus on grassroots sports development, with structured clinics designed to introduce fundamental skills across multiple disciplines. National sports association leaders and coaches worked directly with students to provide hands-on learning experiences.

Olympians and elite athletes also played a key role in mentoring the participants. Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Carlo Paalam, Paris 2024 bronze medalist Aira Villegas, and Gilas Pilipinas veteran Larry Fonacier joined coaching groups in guiding the young athletes through drills and activities.

Officials from various national sports associations also contributed to the program, including leaders from boxing, wrestling, karatedo, billiards, baseball, and taekwondo. Their presence reinforced the collaborative effort to strengthen youth engagement in Philippine sports development.

Schools from Tagaytay recorded strong participation numbers, with Maharlika Elementary School fielding 207 students, Mendez Crossing Elementary School bringing 131, and Carlos S. Batino Sr. Memorial Elementary School contributing 175 pupils.

Olympic Day Celebration

The celebration was aligned with the International Olympic Committee’s observance of Olympic Day every June 23, a tradition that began in 1948. The annual event honors the founding principles of the Olympic Movement and promotes sport participation worldwide.

Organizers described the Tagaytay gathering as both a celebration and an opportunity to instill Olympic values among young Filipinos. The day combined education, activity, and inspiration through direct exposure to national athletes and structured sports programs.

Participants engaged in a festive environment inside the world-class velodrome, transforming the venue into a hub of youth activity and athletic discovery. The initiative reinforced the long-term goal of building a stronger foundation for future Filipino athletes.