CRIS Nievarez jumpstarts the Philippines' campaign in the Tokyo Olympics on Friday morning. The 21-year-old rower is the first Filipino athlete to see action even before the 32nd Olympiad officially opens on Friday evening. Nievarez, the pride of Atimonan, Quezon, is to paddle at the Sea Forest Waterway in Heat 5 of the men's single sculls at 8:10 a.m. (Philippine time). Cris Nievarez PHOTO FROM NIEVAREZ’S FACEBOOK PAGEThe Sea Forest Waterway is the same venue where the 5-foot-11 Nievarez, a 2019 Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, competed in the Asia & Oceania Olympic Rowing Continental Qualification Regatta and earned an Olympic berth last May. Highlighting their parade uniforms are the Rajo Laurel-designed "alampay" (shawl), also with a native Filipino touch.

Source: Manila Times July 22, 2021 15:56 UTC