Speed skater Peter Gloseclose’s options of training overseas has expanded after being granted an Olympic Solidarity scholarship.
Philippine Skating Union President Nikki Cheng told DAILY TRIBUNE the Filipino-American’s scholarship will greatly help his bid in qualifying for the 2026 Winter Games in Italy.
“For us, we know how heavy this can be for an athlete financially. So actually at the end of last year, we were already discussing the expenses with the POC on the expenses,” Cheng said.
“So since then, the federation has been trying to find ways to close this gap, the financial gaps to help Peter get there. So this Olympic Solidarity scholarship secures us of about 20 to 25 percent of what Peter needs. So it is a big help for us.”
Groseclose’s scholarship will last for a year and could be extended should he make it to the Winter Olympics.
“So the deal is, if he doesn’t qualify by November, then the Olympic Committee may cut the scholarship funding. But I think from January of this year until November, we have support from the IOC (International Olympic Committee),” Cheng said.
Cheng added that Groseclose will also be getting P500,000 from Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go to further aid his training.
The financial support is part of the P 1 million given by Go, who is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth and on Sports, where the other half will be given to figure skaters Isabella Gamez and Alexandr Korovin.
The Philippines is looking to surpass its two-man delegation in the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.