CEBUANA marathoner Mary Joy Tabal confirmed on Thursday that she received a letter of release from Philippine Athletics and Track and Field Association (Patafa), the national sports association for track and field in the country.
Tabal confirmed to reporters that she is no longer part of the Philippine Team during the opening ceremony of the 21st Milo Little Olympics Visayas Regional Finals at 3 p.m. Thursday, September 8, in Cebu City.
The Philippine team members will represent the country in big sporting events like the Southeast Asean Games (Sea Games), Asian Games, and Olympics, among others.
The news broke when Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) commissioner Ramon Fernandez posted it on Facebook.
“Rio Olympic Marathon finisher Mary Joy Tabal was just given her walking papers by Philip Juico of the Patafa as of August 30,” he said.
Tabal and her long-time coach John Philip Dueñas decided not to give comments on the issue as of Thursday afternoon.
Tabal’s major backer, Motor Ace Philippines, will release an official statement on the issue.
The 27-year-old marathoner said she received the email from Patafa last August 31, but decided to keep it a secret to not worsen the issue.
Tabal was the first Filipina marathoner to qualify and finish the Rio 2016 Olympics. (RSC/VoxPop Cebu)