It may be said that the first time organized sports was introduced in the Philippines was during the American occupation with the formation of the Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation in 1913. This also marked the holding of the first Far Eastern Games played with China and Japan.

When the Philippines joined the International Olympic Committee in 1918, a requisite for its entry was a solitary participation by MR. DAVID NEPOMUCENO in 1924 who competed in Athletics in Paris, France. He was a runner.

The first Chairman of the then Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation was President Manuel L. Quezon. He held the position until 1935. The successors of President Manuel L. Quezon were:

  1. Jorge B. Vargas (1936-1955)
  2. Don Antonio de las Alas (1956-1968)
  3. Felipe Monserrat (1969-1970)
  4. Ambrosio Padilla (1970-1976)

In 1976, the name Philippine Olympic Committee was adopted in lieu of the Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation to distinguish it as the National Olympic Committee in the Philippines as recognized and accredited by the International Olympic Committee. Since then, official representation to IOC sponsored competitions were under the Philippine Olympic Committee.

The successors after Ambrosia Padilla were:

  1. Col. Nereo Andolong (1977-1980)
  2. Julian Malonso (1980 provisional)
  3. Michael M. Keon (1981-1984)
  4. Gov. Jose C. Sering (1985-1992)
  5. Gen. Rene Cruz (1993-1996)
  6. Cristina Ramos-Jalasco (1997-April 1999)
  7. Celso L. Dayrit (May 1999-2004)
  8. Jose S. Cojuangco Jr. (Jan 2005-present)

The first Filipino member of the IOC was Jorge B. Vargas. He held this position until his death in 1986. Succeeding him in 1989 was Mr. Francisco Elizalde who holds this position as IOC member in the Philippines till the present.

Currently, the Philippine Olympic Committee actively participates in the Olympic Games, Asian Games and the Southeast Asian Games. Other than the above stated IOC sponsored games, the different NSAs under the umbrella organization of the POC also actively participates in their international federation's sponsored competitions like the World Games, University Games, and others.