As part of the countdown for the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Philippines participated in the Terre De Jeux global relay by holding a friendly basketball match between University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila University yesterday at the UP Varsity Training Center in Diliman, Quezon City.

French Ambassador Michele Boccoz graced the affair, saying that they are happy to share the values of sports and unity with the Filipinos, who will mark their 100-year participation in the Olympics in the upcoming Summer Games in Paris.

Aside from Boccoz, also gracing the affair were UP College of Human Kinetics Dean Francis Diaz, Philippine Sports Commission commissioner Walter Torres and Philippine Olympic Committee officer Karen Caballero.

“We want to share the values of sports, the values of being together and going through this Olympics as a team. So, we’re really looking forward to doing these sports events,” Boccoz said.

Based on the guidelines of the Terre De Jeux, each country was asked to play one sport for one hour with a specific ambassador virtually passing the baton to another ambassador to promote the ideals of Olympism and drumbeat the staging of the Summer Games that will open on 26 July next year.

Over 100 French embassies and representations in five continents participated.

For the Philippines, the French opted to stage a basketball event due to its closeness to the hearts of the Filipinos. The Lady Maroons prevailed, 72-70.

“So, as we join the global relay from one time zone to another, we thought of featuring basketball as the sport most representative of the Philippines,” Boccoz said.

Diaz, who is also a board member of the Philippine Paralympic Committee, is honored to have UP as part of the historic event.

“Very much honored and privileged. It showcases the wonderful facilities here in UP and we join the French ambassador in their collective effort for the (Olympic and) Paralympic Games,” Diaz said.