The Philippines Celebrates 100 Years at the Olympics in Paris 2024

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France will be a historic milestone for the Philippines as the nation celebrates 100 years since its Olympic debut in the very same city.

From July 26 to August 11, 2024, a contingent of 22 Filipino athletes will proudly represent the country as they compete in 9 different sports on the world’s grandest sporting stage.

Largest PH Delegation Since Barcelona ’92

The Philippines is sending its largest Olympic delegation since Barcelona in 1992, with 22 athletes set to compete in Paris. This is a significant increase from the 19 athletes the country sent to the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) is optimistic that this group has the potential to match or even surpass the historic 4-medal haul from Tokyo.

“We have a strong team with several serious medal contenders,” said POC President Abraham Tolentino. “Our goal is to build on the breakthrough success we had in Tokyo and continue to show the world the tremendous Filipino talent and fighting spirit.”

Paalam, Petecio to Carry the Flag

Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio, who both won silver medals in boxing at the Tokyo Olympics, have been given the honor of serving as the Philippines’ flag bearers during the opening ceremony on July 26. They will lead the Philippine delegation as they proudly march into Stade de France wearing barongs designed by Francis Libiran.

Paalam, who competes in the men’s featherweight (57kg) division, and Petecio, who fights in the women’s featherweight (57kg) class, are both aiming to turn their silver medals from Tokyo into gold in Paris. They headline a strong 5-member boxing team that is expected to be a major source of medals for the Philippines.

Obiena, Yulo Lead Medal Hopefuls

Aside from the boxers, the Philippines has several other athletes with serious podium potential in Paris. Foremost among them is pole vaulter EJ Obiena, who is currently ranked #3 in the world. The 27-year-old has been on a tear, consistently clearing 5.90 meters and above in competitions.

He won bronze at the 2022 World Championships and gold at the 2022 Diamond League final. If Obiena can replicate those performances in Paris, a first-ever Olympic medal in athletics for the Philippines is within reach.

Another strong medal contender is gymnast Carlos Yulo, who narrowly missed the podium in Tokyo, finishing 4th in the men’s vault final. Since then, the pocket-sized dynamo has won world championship medals on floor exercise and parallel bars.

Yulo has also dominated the Southeast Asian Games and Asian Championships. His quest for redemption and the Philippines’ first ever Olympic gymnastics medal will be a major storyline in Paris.

Filipina Power in Gymnastics and Weightlifting

Yulo isn’t the only Filipino gymnast to watch in Paris. Thanks to the rise of young Fil-Am talents, the Philippines will be fielding a full women’s artistic gymnastics team for the first time ever. The trio of Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo, and Levi Jung-Ruivivar have the potential to make noise in the team and individual events.

Finnegan, whose sister Ava represented the USA, is the 2021 Southeast Asian Games all-around champion. Malabuyo is a former U.S. junior national team member who won bronze in the all-around at the 2022 Asian Championships. Jung-Ruivivar earned an individual Olympic berth with her silver medal on uneven bars at the 2024 Doha World Cup. Together, they give the Philippines a formidable women’s gymnastics squad.

Filipino women will also be forces to reckon with in weightlifting, even with Tokyo 2020 gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz sitting out Paris 2024. Elreen Ando and Vanessa Sarno are both podium contenders.

Ando, who placed 7th in Tokyo, is a two-time SEA Games champion and 2022 Asian Championships silver medalist. Sarno burst onto the scene by winning 3 golds at the 2022 Asian Championships as an 18-year-old. John Ceniza rounds out the weightlifting team on the men’s side.

Young Talents Make Olympic Debuts

Several rising young Filipino athletes will be making their Olympic debuts in Paris. Swimmers Kayla Sanchez and Jarod Hatch, both 21, booked their tickets to Paris with gold medal performances at the 2023 SEA Games. Sanchez will compete in the women’s 100m freestyle while Hatch will swim the men’s 100m butterfly.

In athletics, 20-year-old hurdler Lauren Hoffman will represent the Philippines in the women’s 400m hurdles. The Fil-Am broke the Philippine record en route to qualifying for her first Olympics. On the men’s side, John Cabang Tolentino will run the 110m hurdles after also setting a new national mark.

Fencer Samantha Catantan, the first Filipino fencer to qualify for the Olympics since 1992, will compete in women’s foil. The 21-year-old Penn State standout won gold at the 2023 SEA Games. Judoka Kiyomi Watanabe, a four-time SEA Games champion, will try to make a splash in her Olympic debut in the women’s 63kg division.

Golf Aces Pagdanganan and Ardina Return

Golfers Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina will make their second straight Olympic appearance for the Philippines. Pagdanganan tied for 43rd as the top Filipino finisher in the women’s golf competition in Tokyo. Ardina placed 57th. Both are aiming for better results this time around at Le Golf National course outside Paris.

Rower Delgaco Carries on Nievarez’s Legacy

Joanie Delgaco will be the lone Filipino rower in Paris, competing in women’s single sculls. The 23-year-old secured her Olympic berth with a gold medal at the 2023 SEA Games, building on the trail blazed by Cris Nievarez in Tokyo 2020 where he was the first Filipino rower to qualify for the Olympics in 20 years. Delgaco is hoping to continue the Philippines’ resurgence in the sport.

PH Broadcasters Gear Up for Comprehensive Coverage

Led by TV5 and One Sports, the MVP Group of companies is the official Philippine media and broadcast partner for Paris 2024. The conglomerate, chaired by business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan, has promised “comprehensive coverage across multiple platforms” to bring the Olympics to Filipinos worldwide.

Cignal TV will air the Games on its free and pay TV channels as well as its over-the-top (OTT) service Cignal Play. Smart Communications and PLDT will offer live streaming via their websites and mobile apps.

It will be an unprecedented level of Olympic coverage in the Philippines.“We want to give Filipinos the best possible viewing experience of the Olympics across all platforms – on TV, online, and mobile,” said Pangilinan. “We know how much the Olympics mean to Filipinos, and we want to bring the excitement and inspiration straight to their homes and devices.”

All Eyes on Paris as PH Aims to Make History

As the Philippine delegation prepares for Paris 2024, anticipation is building back home for what could be another glorious Olympic campaign. The team’s success in Tokyo 2020, including the country’s breakthrough first gold medal courtesy of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, has raised expectations and dreams of more Olympic glory.

The Philippines’ top sports officials are confident that the Paris 2024 team has what it takes to surpass the 4-medal haul from Tokyo. “We have a good mix of veterans and young talents, all of whom are capable of winning medals,” said Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Noli Eala. “We are investing in their training and preparation to put them in the best position to succeed.”

The athletes themselves are brimming with confidence and determination. For pole vaulter EJ Obiena, the goal is clear: “I’m going for gold in Paris. I know I have what it takes to win the Philippines’ first Olympic medal in athletics. I’ve been putting in the work and I’m ready to show the world what I can do.”

Gymnast Carlos Yulo, who agonizingly missed a medal by one spot in Tokyo, is driven by redemption. “Tokyo was a learning experience for me. Now I’m more mature, more experienced, and more determined than ever. I won’t be satisfied with anything less than a medal in Paris.”

As the Olympics draw nearer, the excitement and anticipation continue to build. The Philippine delegation will carry the hopes and dreams of 110 million Filipinos as they march in the Parade of Nations at Stade de France on July 26.

A hundred years since a group of intrepid Filipino athletes first competed in the Paris Olympics, a new generation of heroes are ready to make their mark. With pride, passion, and the puso (heart) that defines the Filipino fighting spirit, they will lay it all on the line for flag and country.

Mabuhay ang atletang Pilipino! (Long live Filipino athletes!) All eyes will be on Paris as the Philippines aims to make history once again.