Triumphant and proud, Filipino Olympians come home as heroes

Philippines’ Carlos Edriel Yulo poses with his gold medal during the podium ceremony for the artistic gymnastics men’s vault event of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris, on August 4, 2024. (Photo by Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP)

Gymnast Carlos Yulo now shines the brightest in the constellation of Filipino sports stars, elevating the Philippines to its most stellar output in the Olympics to date.

Boxers Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas added to the glitter with their bronze medals, an achievement unrivaled in the country’s 100 years of participation on the grandest stage in sports.

None of them would have reached this far if not for the shared efforts of the government and private backers.

“Our athletes had an excellent campaign in Paris. This demonstrated how collective efforts from both government and private sectors enabled our athletes to maintain great mental and physical readiness throughout the competition,’’ said Philippine Sports Commission chair Richard Bachmann.

Arriving four days ahead of the opening ceremony and staying throughout the Games to cheer for the 22 Filipino athletes from nine sports, Bachmann will be on the same chartered flight bound for Manila with Yulo and the Philippine delegation.

From Charles de Gaulle with a brief layover in Dubai, the triumphant national team that finished 29th overall from among 184 countries will land at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Tuesday afternoon where they will be welcomed no less than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and first lady Liza Araneta Marcos.

“What stood out is the continued success of the Philippines in the Olympics. New history has been written, and our success still grows as we prepare to seek even more victories,’’ said Bachmann.

Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo broke barriers in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics when she captured the first Olympic gold for the nation.

‘Incredibly fulfilling’

Back then, it was by far the best finish for the Philippines that included silver medals of Petecio and fellow boxer Carlo Paalam plus a bronze from pro boxer Eumir Marcial.

“It’s incredibly fulfilling to me, as a fan, witnessing our Olympians excel and raise the bar,’’ said Bachmann, whose agency provided the whole shebang of support to the athletes from the training and preparation until and after their participation in the Games.

Pole vaulter EJ Obiena didn’t make it to the podium, landing in a disappointing fourth while Paalam and Marcial were absent from the medal stands, but they’re already pondering what lies ahead in 2028 Los Angeles.

Even golfers Bianca Pagdanganan, who nearly got herself a bronze, and Dottie Ardina, fought courageously against the best that global women’s golf could offer and recorded the finest performance for a Philippine squad in the Games. INQ