A SMALL delegation that will help guarantee Asa Miller’s participation in his second consecutive Winter Olympics will leave for Beijing this morning, a week ahead of the opening ceremonies at the Chinese capital.
Chef de Mission Bones Floro and Athlete Welfare officer Joebert Yu will take a Japanese Airlines flight from Manila to Tokyo and finally to Beijing, which is hosting its second Olympics after the 2008 Summer Games.
“It’s all systems go for the departure of Team Philippines to Beijing,” Floro said. “We have been complying with all the COVID-19 countermeasures and protocols for travel to the Beijing Olympic bubble.
“We made sure that Asa’s only concerns are his training and competitions,” he added.
Miller, his father Kelly, and Philippine Ski and Snowboard Federation President Jim Palomar Apelar are expected to fly from Los Angeles to Beijing on Sunday, along with Philippine Skating Union president Nikki Cheng, designated as the delegation’s COVID Liaison Officer, who will take a separate flight from Manila.
Miller’s American coach, Will Gregorak, will arrive in China from the US anytime next week.
The Winter Olympics open on Feb. 4 with Miller, a Fil-Am and the country’s lone representative to the Games, competing in alpine skiing’s men’s slalom and giant slalom starting on February 18 at the Xiaohaituo Alpine Skiing field in Yanqing District. The Games end two days after that.
Philippine Olympic Committee President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino praised Miller, 21, for qualifying in his second straight Winter Games after Pyeongchang in 2018.
“It’s really an honor that our tropical country has a representative for the third straight Winter Olympics. We’re lucky to have Asa,” Tolentino said.
Miller, who is based in Portland, will carry the country’s colors during the parade of nations during the opening rites at the Beijing National Stadium or Bird’s Nest.
The delegation members underwent two RT-PCR tests prior to departure and will strictly observe stringent health and safety protocols while in Beijing.
