FOLLOWING a successful campaign in the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) is aiming to create an artistic gymnastics team, with Olympic bronze medalist Jake Jarman being a top candidate.
Photo Courtesy: @jake_e_j | Instagram
Given that artistic gymnastics has two disciplines, one for individuals and one for teams, POC is currently looking to form a team to represent the men’s category at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The Filipino-British gymnast, who was defeated by none other than the Philippines’ double gold medalist, Carlos Yulo, in the floor exercise event, piqued their interest.
Jarman to PH, possible?
Jarman has expressed gratitude for the support he received during the Paris Games, despite the fact that he is part Filipino, but it is safe to assume that obtaining his services from Great Britain will be difficult.
Nonetheless, Nikko Hueglas, POC’s head of pre-Olympic training camp, believes Jarman can be recruited after speaking with Cynthia Carrion, CEO of the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP).
Photo Courtesy: @jake_e_j | Instagram
Aside from the Filipino-British gymnast Jarman, Hueglas revealed that the Philippines is also looking to recruit two additional gymnasts to create the team that will compete in the team competition.
“It’s highly possible [that we would be recruiting Jarman]. And if I’m not mistaken, do not quote her (Carrion), we’re not just targeting Jake,” said Hueglas of the current building process they’re in.
“We’re also targeting probably two more to pull off the first ever team competitions in gymnastics. I’m confident that president Cynthia can make this happen.”
Carrion stated at the Heroes’ Parade that she had already attempted to contact Jarman and British officials, but they stated that they would only release the gymnast with the permission of the parents.
Reaching out
It may be encouraging to know that star gymnast Yulo will be accompanied by a team to the LA Games, but recruiting Jarman will be more difficult than most people believe.
“I have to talk first to his mother that she agrees, and to Jake himself that he agrees. Because the officials of Jake Jarman told me that unless the father and the mother and Jake Jarman do not agree, wala. They have to agree also,” Carrion said.
Despite placing pressure on Jarman’s parents and him, Great Britain officials have stated that they want to keep the Olympic bronze medalist on their side.
Photo Courtesy: @jake_e_j | Instagram
“I talked to top British officials. They said, ‘we will not release him because we spent a lot for him. We cannot release him. But I can release him if he wants and if the mother wants. If they insist on it, then we can release him,” she added.
Jarman’s Filipino roots come from his Cebuana mother, and he spent a few years in the country as a child. Despite this, the Filipino-British has already stated that he is devoted to his current squad and that he can promise his move.
Some netizens reacted, saying that if Jarman did not win the Olympic bronze medal, the Philippines would not even acknowledge him, which makes it more disappointing to acquire him, given that British officials were the ones who worked with the star gymnast.
If we exclude him from the list, it would be preferable for the country to establish a grassroot squad or select a low-profile gymnast and develop them rather than choosing one pricey fruit from a tree gripped by another competing team.
