Carlos Yulo came very close to landing an unexpected medal. — REUTERS
MANILA, Philippines — Filipino athletes who didn’t make the podium of the Tokyo Olympics are set to receive P500,000, according to Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.
As of Thursday, the Philippines has won two medals with Hidilyn Diaz taking gold in women’s weightlifting and Nesthy Petecio getting the silver in women’s boxing.
Boxers Eumir Marcial and Carlo Paalam, both of whom are already assured of bronze medals, are still in contention for the gold in the middleweight and flyweight divisions, respectively.
Golfers Yuka Saso and Bianca Pagdanganan are also in the middle of their campaigns.
“Everyone on Team Philippines in these ‘Golden Olympics’ deserve all the praises, and in this case, incentives, they need,” said Tolentino.
The POC and the MVP Sports Foundation will reward the non-medalists of Team Philippines.
Those set to receive P500,000 are rower Cris Nievarez, judoka Kiyomi Watanabe, boxer Irish Magno, skateboarder Margielyn Didal, shooter Jayson Valdez, gymnast Carlos Yulo, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, taekwondo jin Kurt Barbosa, weightlifter Erleen Ando, sprinter Kristina Knott, swimmers Remedy Rule and Luke Gebbie, and golfer Juvic Pagunsan.
“Qualifying for the Olympics is already that difficult, what more competing in the Games themselves,” added Tolentino.