3 Pinoys vie in Winter Youth Olympics

The Philippines is sending three Filipinos to compete in the 2024 Ganngwon Winter Youth Olympics opening on 19 January.

Youngsters Peter Joseph Groseclose, Avery Uriel Balbanida and Laetaz Amihan Rabe have earned spots in the South Korea Games as the country makes its third appearance in the prestigious multi-sports meet for teenagers aged 15 to 18.

The 16-year-old Groseclose will compete in the short track of speed skating while Balbanida, 14, will see action in the cross-country skiing.

Meanwhile, 14-year-old Rabe will participate in the free ski slope style and big air.

"I'm proud to announce the participation of our three teenagers in the Winter Youth Olympics. We Filipinos have defied limitations and embraced the challenges of competing in winter sports through the years," Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino said.

"We're living in a tropical country, but our spirit simply knows no boundaries. Our athletes are united in pursuing Olympic excellence and that's also a testament to their Olympic spirit," he added.

Groseclose qualified after landing at No. 32 in the boys' 500 meters during the World Short Track Speed Skating Championships in Dresden, Germany in February last year. He will take part in the 500-meter, 1000m and 1,500m events.

Filipino-Canadian Balbanida gained enough points from International Ski and Snowboard Federation-sanctioned tournaments last year while Rabe reserved a seat in the Gangwon Games after two alternates ahead of her withdrew.

The Philippines is on its second straight Youth Winter Olympics stint after making its return in the Lausanne edition in 2020.

Alpine skier Abel Tesfamariam and figure skater Michael Martinez competed in the inaugural 2012 Games in Innsbruck, Austria. No Filipino qualified in the 2016 Lillehammer edition.