Louie Sison
The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris marked a significant milestone for the Philippines, celebrating a century since its first participation in the Olympic Games.
With a delegation of 22 athletes, the Philippines achieved its best performance to date, surpassing its achievements in Tokyo 2020.
This article highlights the key moments and achievements of the Filipino athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Overview of the Philippine Team
The Philippine team consisted of 22 athletes, comprising 7 men and 15 women, competing across nine sports: athletics, boxing, fencing, golf, gymnastics, judo, rowing, swimming, and weightlifting.
The team was led by flag bearers Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio during the opening ceremony, and Carlos Yulo and Aira Villegas during the closing ceremony.
Medal Achievements
The Philippines secured four medals at the Paris Olympics, including two golds and two bronzes, marking its most successful Olympic performance.
| Medal | Athlete | Sport | Event | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Carlos Yulo | Gymnastics | Men’s Floor Exercise | 3 August |
| Gold | Carlos Yulo | Gymnastics | Men’s Vault | 4 August |
| Bronze | Aira Villegas | Boxing | Women’s Flyweight | 6 August |
| Bronze | Nesthy Petecio | Boxing | Women’s Featherweight | 7 August |
Carlos Yulo’s Historic Golds
Carlos Yulo made history by winning two gold medals in gymnastics, becoming the first Filipino and Southeast Asian athlete to achieve this feat in a single Olympic edition.
His victories in the men’s floor exercise and vault events were a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication.
Boxing Success
Boxers Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio each secured bronze medals, adding to the Philippines’ rich boxing legacy. Villegas, in her Olympic debut, showcased her prowess in the women’s flyweight category, while Petecio became the first Filipino boxer to win medals in two consecutive Olympics.
Notable Performances
Several other Filipino athletes delivered commendable performances, contributing to the country’s overall success at the Games.
EJ Obiena in Athletics
Pole vaulter EJ Obiena narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth in the men’s pole vault event. His performance was a significant improvement from his 11th-place finish in Tokyo 2020.
Golfers’ Strong Showings
In golf, Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina represented the Philippines in the women’s individual stroke event. Pagdanganan finished in joint fourth place, narrowly missing a medal.
Challenges and Learning Experiences
While the Philippines celebrated its successes, some athletes faced challenges that provided valuable learning experiences for future competitions.
- Lauren Hoffman and John Cabang Tolentino in athletics faced tough competition, with Hoffman finishing 20th in the repechage of the women’s 400m hurdles and Tolentino unable to compete in the repechage due to injury.
- Sam Catantan in fencing and Kiyomi Watanabe in judo both exited in the early rounds, highlighting the need for continued development in these sports.
Final Remarks
The 2024 Paris Olympics was a landmark event for the Philippines, showcasing the country’s growing prowess in international sports.
With historic achievements and valuable experiences gained, the Filipino athletes have set a strong foundation for future Olympic endeavors. The nation looks forward to building on this success and continuing its journey of excellence in the global sporting arena.
Note: Featured image photo credit to minesparis.psl.eu
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