Carlos Yulo said the closing ceremony left him exhausted after two weeks of competition in Paris. The two-time Olympic gold medalist capped a Paris 2024 campaign that saw the Philippines win two golds and two bronzes, the country’s best-ever Olympic medal haul, as the delegation prepared to head home.
Flag Bearers Lead with Pride
Carlos Yulo and Aira Villegas carried the Philippine flag at the closing ceremony, capping a Paris Games in which the country won two gold medals and two bronze medals. Both athletes said they were tired from competing but eager to get home to their families.
Yulo’s Special Dinner with the President
Yulo, along with fellow medalists Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas, was honored with a dinner at Malacañang Palace hosted by President Marcos. Yulo said he felt honored by the meeting and would remember it.
Yulo’s Growing Popularity
Cynthia Carrion, president of the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines, said Yulo has drawn a wave of new attention and invitations since the Games ended. She said he was excited about the response, though he also missed the people who supported him through training.
Boxing Medalists’ Reflections
Boxing remained a highlight for the Philippines, with Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam among the story lines from the Games.
Petecio’s Bronze and Humor
Nesthy Petecio, who won bronze, joked about the training gear the Philippine Olympic Committee had issued for the heat. She said it had come in handy without air conditioning, and joked that it was funny they’d managed to bring the supplies home.
Petecio’s Respectful Reflection
Petecio also reflected on her semifinal loss to Poland’s Julia Szeremeta. She said she gave her best in that fight, and that despite the close and disputed scoring, she respected the judges’ decision and was thankful for the chance to compete.
Paalam’s Disappointment and Hope
Tokyo silver medalist Carlo Paalam talked about his split-decision quarterfinal loss to Australia’s Charlie Senior. He said he trained hard and believed he’d won the fight, even though the decision didn’t go his way. Asked if he was eyeing the 2028 Olympics, he said only that he might. He also said Filipino boxers need better financial support to succeed at this level.
Villegas Looks Homeward and Ahead
Bronze medalist Aira Villegas said she missed home-cooked Filipino food, especially kangkong and fresh vegetables, during her time abroad, and was looking forward to going home. She said she plans to work on her nutrition, strategy and mental focus going forward, and that staying consistent has been the hardest part of developing as a fighter.
Send-Off and Official Messages
Philippine Ambassador Juniver Mahilum West led the send-off as the athletes began their trip home. Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino thanked everyone who supported the delegation, crediting the team’s success to that backing.
A chartered flight took the athletes to Dubai as part of their journey home, while delegates for the Paralympic Games arrived in Paris. The Paralympic Games ran from August 28 to September 8.
For more updates on Filipino athletes, follow Midori Online Sports News.
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