LAOAG CITY — In its search for the next Teofilo Yldefonso, the Ilocos Norte government is eyeing the development of well-trained swimmers who could represent the country in International Olympic Games.
Yldefonso, the first Filipino Olympics medalist, introduced modern breaststroke during his time.
Record shows that Yldefonso, who was born in Piddig, Ilocos Norte in 1903, is the only Filipino athlete to have won back-to-back medals at the Olympics, bagging two bronze medals in the men’s 200-m breaststroke in Amsterdam in 1928, and in Los Angeles in 1932.
In light of this, a swimming school is expected to open at the Ferdinand E. Marcos Sports Stadium here, Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Eugenio Angelo Marcos Barba said on Friday.
The provincial government, Barba said, plans to tap the expertise of the De la Salle Zobel Swimming School to personally train athletes in the province.
Over the years, Lasallian swimmers have represented the country and won gold medals in international swimming events.
“This is a good development for Ilocos Norte athletes,” said Barba, as he expressed hope for the opening of the swimming school at the soonest possible time.
A memorandum of agreement is being prepared to facilitate the partnership between the provincial government of Ilocos Norte represented by Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” Marcos and the administration of the De la Salle Zobel School. (Leilanie Adriano/PNA)
