Winner Philippines’ Carlos Edriel Yulo bites his medal as he celebrates during the podium ceremony competes in the artistic gymnastics men’s floor exercise final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris, on August 3, 2024. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Thursday congratulated Carlos Yulo, the Filipino gymnast who bagged two gold medals in the 2024 Paris Olympics, and tagged his victory as a “milestone” for Southeast Asian nations.
“Mr. Yulo’s two golds are… he’s the only athlete from Southeast Asia, from an Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nation) [country] who has had two Olympic golds ever in any sport,” Shanmugaratnam said while in a bilateral meeting with Marcos.
“So, it’s a real milestone, it’s a real milestone for all of us. I mean, we shine a bit of the reflected glory of the Philippines,” he added.
Marcos, for his part, shared Shanmugaratnam’s sentiments and even told him how proud the country was in welcoming home Yulo and the other Filipino athletes who joined the Olympics.
READ: Carlos Yulo, PH Olympians return home after historic Paris stint
“When our Olympians came home, and came here. I was telling everyone that tonight, it’s not about us – we’re just a reflected glory over here and trying to be part of the achievements of our athletes,” Marcos said.
“We’re very, very proud. The welcome that the people gave was really overwhelming,” he added.