Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio to carry PH flag in Paris Olympics

FILE–Nesthy Petecio.–POOL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Boxers Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio will carry the Philippine flag in the parade of nations at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Paalam and Petecio, who both secured silver medals in the previous Olympics in Tokyo, were designated flag-bearers by the Philippine Olympic Committee for the opening rites of the global sports showpiece on July 26.

The 25-year-old Paalam got the silver after a split-decision defeat to Galal Yafai of Great Britain during their men’s flyweight finale three years ago while Petecio, 32, earned the distinction as the first Filipino woman boxer who reached the podium in the Olympics.

READ: Carlo Paalam hurries to be 100 percent battle-ready for Paris Olympics

FILE–The Philippines’ Carlo Paalam reacts after winning against Uzbekistan’s Shakhobidin Zoirov during their men’s fly (48-52kg) quarter-final boxing match during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo on August 3, 2021. (Photo by Luis ROBAYO / POOL / AFP)

The silver finish of both Paalam and Petecio plus the bronze medal of boxer Eumir Marcial in the middleweight division broke the country’s medal drought in the sport since Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco claimed a silver medal in the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games.

A total of 15 Filipinos have already booked their spots in Paris headed by pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo, Levi Ruivivar and weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, Elreen Ando and John Ceniza.

READ: Hard work continues for Nesthy Petecio after clinching Paris Olympics berth

Joining them are fencer Samantha Catantan, rower Joanie Delgaco and boxers Hergie Bacyadan, Aira Villegas and Marcial.

Several more athletes from athletics and swimming are expected to qualify after the Olympic qualification door closes on June 30.