The Philippines is all set to participate in the upcoming 2024 Winter Youth Olympics in Gangwon, South Korea, from January 19 to February 1. Three talented young athletes, speed skater Peter Groseclose, and skiers Avery Balbanida and Laetaz Amihan Rabe, will be representing the country.
While the Philippines has previously participated in the Winter Games, starting in 2012 with alpine skier Abel Tesfamariam and figure skater Michael Martinez, and later in 2020 with alpine skier Ana Noelle Wahleithner, the significance of representing a tropical nation in winter sports is not lost on these athletes.
Avery Balbanida, a 16-year-old Calgary-based skier with Filipino heritage, will compete in cross-country skiing. He expressed his enthusiasm about showcasing Filipinos’ capabilities in winter sports despite the country’s lack of winter climate.
Laetaz Amihan Rabe, a 14-year-old based in Switzerland, will represent the Philippines in slopestyle and big air skiing. She shared her pride in her Filipino roots and her desire to demonstrate the Filipinos’ adaptability and talent in winter sports.
Peter Groseclose, also 16, will compete in short track speed skating. He recently achieved impressive results in the ISU Jr. World Cup and is excited to represent his Filipino heritage on the international stage.
Jim Apelar of the Philippine Ski and Snowboard Federation spoke proudly of the diaspora’s representation in global sports, emphasizing the significance of showcasing Filipino talent worldwide, even in sports traditionally unfamiliar to the country.
Philippine Skating Union president Nikki Cheng hopes that these Winter Games will serve as a stepping stone for the athletes’ future Olympic aspirations.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino acknowledged the challenges of competing in winter sports as a tropical country but emphasized the importance of the athletes’ participation and their representation of the nation’s determination.
Ada Milby, head of Rugby, will be the chef de mission for the Winter Youth Games. She will be joined by Cheng and Ski federation secretary-general Jezreel Apelar, supporting the young athletes in their pursuit of Olympic excellence.