Filipino rower Cris Nievarez has earned a slot in the upcoming Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
The Philippine Rowing Association confirmed on Monday, May 10, that Nievarez became the eighth Filipino to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, which will open on July 23.
"We are happy to share that the Philippine Rowing Association received confirmation from World Rowing that we have qualified for the Men's Single Sculls (M1x) for the Tokyo Olympic Games," the Philippine Rowing Association said in a Facebook post.
Philippine Sports Commission also congratulated Nievarez for his accomplishment.
"In my book, any athlete who through his actions inspires - whether one small child or a whole generation to become better - is already a champion. And this is what our athletes are to our people," PSC chairperson William Ramirez said in a statement.
"They stand as beacons of hope. An inspiration to keep fighting and to never give up," Ramirez added.
Nievarez joins the growing Philippine delegation for the Olympics, which boxers Eumir Marcial, Irish Magno, Carlo Paalam, and Nesthy Petecio, alongside pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnast Carlos Yulo, and weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz.
The 2019 Southeast Asian Games gold medalist is the first Filipino rower to enter the Olympics since Benjie Tolentino competed in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
