Curl Runnings! Philippines bank on unlikely Winter Olympics berth

HARBIN, China: A banker, a construction worker, an electrician and an entrepreneur from snowy Switzerland have an unlikely shot at making Winter Olympics curling history — for the tropical Philippines.

Jamaica’s bobsleigh team were immortalized in the movie “Cool Runnings” after taking part in the 1988 Winter Olympics.

And the “Curling Pilipinas” could be the next candidates for the Hollywood treatment, should they line up at Milan-Cortina in 2026.

The Swiss-Filipino men’s quartet are this week gaining invaluable experience at the Asian Winter Games in China, their biggest stage yet.

Just two years after the launch of the country’s curling federation, the men’s team — who were all born in Switzerland to Filipino mothers — have already secured a place at 2026 Olympic pre-qualifiers later this year.

Unlike their full-time competitors from Asian winter sports powerhouses South Korea, Japan and China, the Philippines team members still work their day jobs.

“We are fully committed, but the money is always tight,” said lead Alan Frei. “But it’s for the plot, it’s for the story, right?“

Frei has spent around 30,000 euro ($31,000) on the team, who were largely self-funded before the Asian Winter Games, according to Philippines curling federation president Benjo Delarmente, who is also the squad’s reserve player.

The Philippines are not intimidated going up against the best because of the team’s top-tier chemistry, Frei told AFP during practice at the Harbin Pingfang District Curling Arena.

“It’s just a great team dynamic,” said Frei, who describes himself as an “e-commerce entrepreneur.”

“We love hanging out with each other. It’s always funny, we are cracking jokes. So that’s our big advantage.”

They also have