Gymnastics Association of the Philippines President Cynthia Carrion during Team Philippines’ Heroes’ Parade led by double gold medalist Carlos Yulo in Manila.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) President Cynthia Carrion couldn’t help her emotions after Team Philippines’ Heroes Parade at Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Wednesday.
When asked about her thoughts on the crowd’s reception towards Carlos Yulo, Carrion was almost at a loss for words.
“Fantastic,” said Carrion, taking a deep breath before her eyes welled up with tears. “[It’s] fantastic. You know, I was crying because he’s like my son. [It was] so touching.”
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After roughly two hours of waiting for the Heroes’ Parade to end, the crowd seemingly never lost energy and even let off the loudest roar when Yulo was finally introduced.
“[The event] was very well done because they’re (Team Philippines) tired. Carlos hasn’t slept, maybe three hours only, so making it fast like that was the best thing,” Carrion said.
Yulo made history by becoming the first Filipino to win two Olympic gold medals.
HIGHLIGHTS: Team Philippines’ Heroes Parade and homecoming
The 24-year-old Yulo won both the floor exercise and vault events in the men’s artistic gymnastics at the recently concluded Paris Olympics.
Yulo was one of four Filipino gymnasts who competed in Paris. The others were Aleah Finnegan, Levi Jung Ruivivar and Emma Malabuyo.
Carrion said the three, who weren’t able to join the Heroes Parade, are expected to return to the country “by the end of August.”