Philippines at the
2014 Winter Olympics
Flag of the Philippines
IOC codePHI
NOCPhilippine Olympic Committee
Websitewww.olympic.ph
in Sochi
Competitors1 in 1 sport
Flag bearer Michael Christian Martinez (opening)
Medals
Gold
0
Silver
0
Bronze
0
Total
0
Winter Olympics appearances (overview)

The Philippines competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia from 7 to 23 February 2014. The country's participation in the games marks the first time a figure skater from Southeast Asia competed in the Games.

Background

The Philippine delegation to the 2014 Winter Olympics consisted of one athlete in figure skating. The country competed at the Winter Olympics for the first time since 1992 Winter Olympics and 4th time overall.[1] At least three Filipino-Ameticans athletes made failed attempts to qualify for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada[2] namely the figure skating pair[3] composed of Michael Dimalanta and Gracielle Jeanne Tan and snowboarder Eden Serina.[2]

The sole competitor for the country was Michael Christian Martinez, who is also the first South East Asian figure skater to qualify for the games.[4] Martinez served as the flag bearer for the Philippines in the opening ceremony,[5] while a volunteer served as flag bearer in the closing ceremony.[6]

Audrey Alcaraz, another Filipino figure skater made a non-competitive performance in the closing ceremony during the handover of hosting duties of the Winter Olympics to Pyeongchang, South Korea, the host city of the 2018 Winter Olympics[7][8]

Figure skating

Michael Christian Martinez competed in figure skating as the only athlete from the Philippines.

Main article: Figure skating at the 2014 Winter Olympics

The Philippines has achieved the following quota place:[9][10]

Athlete Event SP FS Total
Points Rank Points Rank Points Rank
Michael Christian Martinez Men's singles 64.81 19 Q 119.44 20 184.25 19

Michael Christian Martinez secured qualification by finishing 7th in the 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy in Germany.[11]

In the short program, Martinez was the fifth athlete to perform in the men's singles competition which featured 29 other figure skaters from 21 NOCs. He performed to the tune of the "Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet". He managed to make a triple Axel, inverted camel and triple loops without landing issues and finished his performance with a Biellmann spin. He is among the 24 figure skaters who advanced to the free skate after he finished 19th with 64.81 points.[12]

In the free skate, Martinez skated to the tune of "Malagueña" by Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona.[13] The third athlete to perform in the final routine, Martinez garnered 199.44 points. Among the elements he performed were triple Axels, triple double toes, and double flip. However he landed on his right hand following an execution of a triple loop. Like in the short program, he ended his free skate with a Biellmann spin.[14]

Martinez finished the competition in 19th place (out of 30 skaters), meaning with a single athlete competing in a single event, The Philippines did not win a medal at these Games.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ Noguera, Emil (29 January 2014). "Teener lone Philippine entry in Sochi Winter Olympics". The Manila Times. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  2. ^ a b Henson, Joaquin (12 February 2010). "Pinoys in Winter Games". Philippine Star. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  3. ^ "RP skaters eye Winter Olympics". ABS-CBN News. 16 March 2009. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  4. ^ a b Verora, Levi (14 February 2014). "Martinez finishes 19th at Winter Olympics figure skating finale". Rappler. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  5. ^ "Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremony - Flagbearers" (PDF). olympic.org. Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Organizing Committee. 7 February 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  6. ^ "Sochi 2014 Closing Ceremony - Flagbearers" (PDF). The International Olympic Committee (IOC). 23 February 2014. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  7. ^ "Pinay skater to perform at Olympics closing ceremony". ABS-CBN News. 17 February 2014. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  8. ^ "Skye the skater, shines in Asian Junior Challenge". Saint Jude Catholic School. Archived from the original on 29 January 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2018. Audrey Alcaraz, the Filipino skater who performed during the closing ceremonies of Sochi Olympics.
  9. ^ "For first time, Pinoy skater qualifies for Winter Olympics". ABS-CBN Corporation. 6 October 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  10. ^ "Michael Christian Martinez qualifies for Winter Olympic Games 2014". Pinoy Headline. 30 September 2013. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  11. ^ Patria, Kim Arveen (11 October 2013). "First Pinoy figure skater to join Winter Olympics". Yahoo! Philippines. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  12. ^ "PHL figure skater Michael Martinez advances to next round in Olympics". GMA News. 13 February 2014. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  13. ^ "Filipino Winter Olympian's free skate routine". Rappler. 15 February 2014. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  14. ^ Gasgonia, Dennis (15 February 2014). "Figure skater Michael Martinez finishes 19th in Sochi". Retrieved 28 January 2018.

External links

National Olympic Committees at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia
Categories