Now safe from supertyphoon ‘Yolanda,’ Cebu City Olympics to continue today at CCSC

After surviving the wrath of supertyphoon “Yolanda” yesterday, Cebuano junior athletes continue their quest for glory as the 23rd Cebu City Olympics will resume today at the slightly damaged Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) and other venues around the city.

Department of Education (DepEd) Cebu City Division Sports Coordinator Zenaida Gocotano said they have to resume the school-based, multi-sporting event today to make sure that the division meet will end on Sunday.

The annual meet started Wednesday but games had to be postponed yesterday due to the supertyphoon that wrecked havoc in the Visayas region.

Organizers are trying to finish the meet on Sunday because of the tight schedule of the athletes and tournament officials, who are also set to undergo training and seminar on Nov. 11 and 12 in preparation for the Central Visayas Regional Athletics Association (CVIRAA) meet to be hosted by Cebu City on December.

“We will continue the games because the authorities have advised us in DepEd that Cebu City will be safe from the typhoon,” Gocotano said.

The academic side of the athletes is also a top priority for DepEd since most of them are set to take their exams next week. If the games will be moved, their tests will be jeopardized.

In order to be able to finish the meet on time, Gocotano said the games could reach night time today.

“We are willing to end the games even at night just to make sure we finish on schedule” Gocotano said.

With regards to the venues, Gocotano said only slight damage were reported. The CCSC lost some parts of its roofing but organizers believe it will not affect the competition that will take place today.