Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Chef de Mission Jonvic Remulla do the rounds of the facilities with the first batch of athletes and coaches at the Metz training camp. Courtesy: Cignal TV and POC

MANILA -- Work has begun in earnest for Team Philippines in its camp in Metz, France, according to Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino.

Tolentino and chef-de-mission Jonvic Remulla led the rounds at the facility where Filipino Olympians will train for a month before the Summer Games in Paris.

"It's all systems go here at La Moselle," said Tolentino. "The morale of the team is very high."

For the first time, the POC is conducting a training camp for Filipino Olympians a month before the competition, with the Paris Olympics scheduled to start on July 26.

"The first batch of athletes that flew in with us here last Saturday morning is amazed with the facility and are eager to wind up their training for their respective events for the Olympics," said Tolentino, who joined Team Philippines with Remulla in Metz on Sunday.

"The athletes are excited and enthusiastic about this training camp, the main objective of which is to make sure our athletes are in top shape for the competitions," said Remulla.

READ: Eight Pinoy athletes depart for training camp ahead of Paris Olympics

READ: Petecio, Paalam honored to carry PH flag in Olympics opening

The first batch of Filipino athletes who have arrived in France include weightlifters Vanessa Sarno and Elreen Ando, boxers Aira Villegas, Hergie Bacyadan, Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio, rower Joanie Delgaco and weightlifter John Febuar Ceniza.

They are also accompanied by secretary-general Atty. Wharton Chan, the athletes coached and trainers and a lean POC staff who set the facility ahead of the team’s arrival and will be in France for the entire duration of the Games that end August 11.

Expected to arrive in Metz from different origins in the next few days are boxer Eumir Felix Marcial, fencer Samantha Catantan and gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Emma Malabuyo and Levi Ruivivar.

Tolentino expects Team Philippines to breach the 20-athlete mark, with more qualifiers expected in athletics, golf and swimming. The international federations of those sports federations will announce the official qualifiers for the Olympics this week.

"The Paris campaign is now in full throttle," he said.

The Philippines is looking to improve on its campaign from the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz won the country's first-ever gold medal while Paalam and Petecio won silvers, and Eumir Marcial took home a gold.

RELATED VIDEO: