President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is scheduled to attend the send-off ceremony for the members of the Paris Olympics-bound Philippine delegation at the Marble Hall of the Ayuntamiento de Manila in Intramuros on Friday.

Expected to join the President in the evening ceremony are Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairperson Richard “Dickie” Bachmann, Philippine Olympian Association president Gillian Akiko Thomson-Guevara, and national sports association officials.

Those who qualified for Paris are pole-vaulter EJ Obiena; gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, Levi Ruivivar, and Emma Malabuyo; boxers Aira Villegas, Nesthy Petecio, Hergie Bacyadan, Eumir Marcial, and Carlo Paalam; rower Joanie Delgaco; weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, John Ceniza, and Elreen Ando; and fencer Sam Catantan.

Some of them will leave on June 22 for Metz, France where they will stay in a training facility for their final preparations.

A Holy Mass will usher in the send-off ceremony, which will be highlighted by the turnover of the national flag from the PSC to the President and Tolentino. (PNA)