All is set for the premier open-water swim race for a cause
All is set for the Olango Challenge, touted to be the country’s biggest and oldest open-water swim race for a cause organized by Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and Philippine Swimming, Inc. (PSI).
Around 150 professional and amateur swimmers from Cebu and other parts of the country, and as far as Italy and Japan are joining the race tomorrow at the Pacific Cebu Resort, to participate in a rare cause—to build schools for the school children of Olango island, Cebu.
The organizers, along with Supporting organizations and government agencies are fielding their staff to help ensure the safety and success of the event.
The Olango Challenge follows the format of the open water swim category of the Beijing Summer Olympics in 2008. For the first time this year, the Olango Challenge will feature the 300-meter kiddie swim for athletes aged 11-13 years old. It will also feature the competitive men’s and women’s 6K and 1K divisions as well as the 6K and 1K fun categories.
300-METER SWIM FOR YOUNG ATHLETES
Participants of the 300-meter kiddie swim will follow a 300-meter straight line course fronting Pacific Cebu Resort of Lapu-lapu City and will be the first ones to start the race. They must wear rash guards and goggles to protect their body, while kick boards or any flotation devices are not allowed. They
On the other hand, swimmers joining the 1K and 6K categories will navigate a rectangular race course. Competitive swimmers are expected to follow the FINA rules for swimming while fun swimmers may use swim aids such as fins and snorkels.
All participants are required to present medical certificates, their proof of ages, and signed waivers to be able to join the race. Young athletes joining the 300-meter swim are additionally required to present documentary proof of their previous participation to swimming-related events or swim club membership.
All swimmers must wear the prescribed swim cap and must attend the orientation 30 minutes before the race.
SWIMMING TO BUILD SCHOOLS
The event’s major sponsors include Oriental Port and Allied Services Corporation, Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., City Savings Bank, GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation, TIMEX Philippines, PLDT, Inc., and FINIS Philippines, among others.
It is also in partnership with the Cebu Provincial Health Office, Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation, Island Buzz Philippines, Philippine Red Cross Cebu and Lapu-lapu/Cordova chapters, KABALIKAT CIVICOM, Sawum Freedivers, Scotty’s Sports Action and Network, and Philippine Coast Guard Station Cebu.
Since the first Olango Challenge in 2008, the event raised more than PhP15 million to fund nine classrooms in Candagsao, Caw-oy, Tungasan, and Talima elementary schools on Olango island.
It also supported the senior high school education of 250 cookery, food and beverage, welding, and dressmaking students through the provision of one-year scholarships, laboratory equipment, immersion uniforms, and assessment fees for national certifications.