Will Fil-British Gymnast Jake Jarman Represent PH in Los Angeles Olympics 2028?

August 15, 2024 Philippines Sports

The Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) is already setting its sights on future successes by exploring the possibility of recruiting Fil-British gymnast Jake Jarman for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. GAP President Cynthia Carrion revealed this plan during the August 14 Olympians’ homecoming parade in Manila, where she emphasized the potential of Jarman joining the national team.

Jake Jarman, who has Filipino roots through his Cebuana mother, is currently a standout gymnast for Great Britain. He also spent part of his childhood in the Philippines, further strengthening his connection to the country. Although he was born in England, Jake spent two years in Cebu, the hometown of his mother, from ages three to five.

Carrion expressed her intent to reach out to Jarman and his family to gauge their interest in him representing the Philippines on the world stage.

“I have to talk first to his mother that she agrees, and to Jake himself that he agrees,” Carrion was quoted as saying in an August 15 report published by ABS-CBN News.

“Because the officials of Jake Jarman told me that unless the father and the mother and Jake Jarman do not agree, wala. They have to agree also.”

Carrion has been in contact with her British counterparts, who have made it clear that Great Britain would only release Jarman if he and his family express a strong desire to compete for the Philippines. “I talked to top British officials. They said, ‘we will not release him because we spent a lot for him. We cannot release him. But I can release him if he wants and if the mother wants. If they insist on it, then we can release him,'” Carrion shared.

The GAP chief also recounted a conversation with Jarman, where she invited him to visit the Philippines again. However, Jarman’s response was cautious. “Then when I saw him the last time, I said Jake, [his response was] ‘I cannot promise,'” Carrion revealed. “I’m inviting him here to see how wonderful we are. Maybe he would like to be here better.”

Jarman recently made headlines as the third-place finisher in the men’s floor exercise at the Paris Olympics, where Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo secured the gold.