FILIPINO swimmers commended the successful bubble hosting of Philippine Swimming Inc. (PSI) Swimming National Selection (SNS) Meet at the New Clark City and Clark Freeport Zone.
The swimmers thanked the organizers for giving them an opportunity to safely go back to competition after more than a year of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), in partnership with the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) and PSI, hosted a total of 71 swimmers at the SNS Meet from October 22 to 24 at the New Clark City Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac.
Bubble participants were billeted at the Hotel Stotsenberg at the Clark Freeport Zone.
It was the first competition held at the New Clark City Aquatics Center since the 30th Southeast Asian Games in 2019. It was also the first local swimming competition hosted by the PSI since the 2019 National Open, also at the same facility.
“To hold a competition during a global pandemic is extremely difficult so I feel very grateful for the opportunity to be able to compete during this time,” swimmer Chloe Daos said.
Ianiko Limfilipino said the meet was able to remind him again “what it feels like to compete.”
“I surely missed the rush of the competition. I’m also happy to see so many familiar faces from coaches, swimmers and officials,” Limfilipino said.
“Having this competition through a bubble is the best setup as we have assurance of isolating ourselves to avoid being infected,” said Thanya de la Cruz, who shattered the national record in the women’s 50 meters breaststroke at the Aquatics Center.
The bubble participants also praised the New Clark City Aquatics Center for its world-class pools and facilities that have been kept in tip-top condition even with the slowdown in sports activities.
“This is by far the best aquatic facilities we have here in the Philippines. In my opinion, the New Clark City Aquatics Center is at world-class standards, and it’s always a wonderful experience to compete there,” Xiandi Chua said. The All-Star Swim Club standout swept all of her three events during the PSI meet.”
“It (the Aquatics Center) looks amazing and clean even if no one was able to use it for more than a year,” Miguel Barreto said.