Hero’s welcome for Carlos Yulo-led PH Olympians set Wednesday

MANILA, Philippines — The hero’s welcome for the Filipino Paris Olympians is on Wednesday in Manila with double gold medalist Carlos Yulo set to receive a special award from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Palace said Monday.

The 7.7-kilometer parade was initially scheduled on Tuesday, the same day as their arrival from Paris, but was moved due to the athletes’ time of arrival.

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“Originally we had been thinking that they could arrive a little bit earlier, but since they’re arriving at 6 p.m., we thought it would be best to have the parade the next day,” Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs Reichel Quiñones said in a press conference.

READ: Triumphant and proud, Filipino Olympians come home as heroes

The Olympians will arrive Tuesday, 6 p.m. at Villamor Airbase where they will be welcomed by their families or invited loved ones.

They will then proceed to Malacañang to be welcomed by President Marcos and the first family.

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According to Quiñones, the “simple but meaningful” parade will begin at 3:00 p.m. at Aliw Theater in Pasay and ends at Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, where a program will be held.

READ: Marcos to Carlos Yulo: How can we get more medals in Olympics?

During the program, the official said all Olympians—including Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio who each won bronze in women’s boxing—will receive presidential citations as well as cash incentives.

Yulo, who made history by claiming gold in floor exercise and vault in men’s artistic gymnastics, will also be feted with a Presidential Medal of Merit on top of the presidential citation and cash incentive from President Marcos himself.

Yulo’s cash incentive, according to Quiñones, is separate from the law-mandated P10 million and will be provided by the Office of the President.

Follow Inquirer Sports’ special coverage of the Paris Olympics 2024.

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