The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) congratulated Filipino pole-vaulter EJ Obiena after he secured a spot in the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France.
"On behalf of President Terry Capistrano and the PATAFA, we congratulate EJ Obiena for securing the Paris Olympic slot for pole vault in his first competition during the Olympic qualification window," PATAFA Secretary General Edward Kho said in a statement.
Obiena cleared 5.82 meters during the Bauhaus Galan leg of the Diamond League on July 2 in Stockholm, Sweden, which assured him of a ticket in the Paris Games.
The 27-year old pole-vaulter finished second in the tournament.
Olympic gold medalist and world record holder Armand Duplantis topped the event after the Swedish pole vaulter registered 6.05 meters.
Norwish pole vaulter Pal Haugen Lillefosse cleared 5.72 meters to finish in third place.
With his slot in the Olympics secured, PATAFA expects that Obiena will now turn his focus on preparing for the Paris Games, as well as for the 2022 Asian Games in China, and the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships in Thailand.
As of writing, among all Filipino athletes, only Obiena has qualified for the 2023 Olympics.
