Obiena relocating from Formia

MANILA, Philippines — Tokyo-bound Filipino pole-vaulter EJ Obiena is planning to relocate somewhere in Europe, possibly in Finland, with the spread of COVID-19 cases in his training base in Formia, Italy.

“There is a chance that they may have to vacate their training quarters there because it will be put on temporary lockdown. It (COVID-19) has spread down South of Italy where they are,” said Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association president Philip Ella Juico referring to Obiena and his Ukrainian coach Vitaly Petrov.

The former Philippine Sports Commission chairman said Finland is one ideal destination for Obiena since the country is very strict with its protocols against the global health malady.

In fact, Finland belongs to the countries around the world that has coped best against the COVID-19 and has the lowest number of cases (28,242 total, 16,800 recovered, 415 deaths) in Europe.

Juico is now in touch with Finland’s track and field chief Antti Pihlakoski.

“I got in touch with him (Pihlakoski) to explore the possibility,” said Juico.

Obiena and Petrov weighed the possibility of moving to neighboring Germany and France but cases there are even worse. Dubai was also considered but it was too expensive.

Obiena is preparing for several competitions leading to the Olympics including the World Indoor Championships set March 19-21 in Nanjing, China.

Meanwhile, sprinter Kristina Knott, another Olympic hopeful, is eyeing a travel to Austin, Texas from Orlando, Florida which is hard hit by the virus.