In a recent Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum, Emerson Obiena, EJ’s father, confirmed the development and explained the reason for their decision.

“Kasi po ‘yung training program nila, naka-place na po so as much as possible, they would like to follow ‘yung progression ng training nila papuntang Olympics,” said the elder Obiena.

He added that EJ and the team are concerned about the effects of the vaccination, which may interfere with their preparations for the summer games.

“Base sa kanilang mga pagtatanong sa ibang atleta na nagpa-vaccine na, may mga reactions sa vaccine na minsan umaabot ng 10 days, hindi maganda sa pakiramdam ng atleta. Sa ngayon, hindi pa po sila nakapag-confirm kung magba-vaccine o hindi. ‘Yung 10 days na hindi makapag-training, malaking effect sa preparation. Sa ngayon, deferred muna ang vaccine,” said Obiena.

“Pinag-aaralan kung meron pang time para talaga maisingit ‘yung vaccination. Pero kung hindi, dagdagan na lang po ‘yung ingat para po ‘yung preparation, hindi po maapektuhan. Tapos after na lang ng Olympics, saka pag-usapan kung kalian magpapa-vaccine,” he added.

The organizers of the Olympic Games in Tokyo have not made vaccination mandatory for participation, although Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino stated that they “cannot put the well-being and health of our athletes at risk.”