TODAY marks the return of the biggest multisport event in the world: the Olympic Games. For this year, world-class athletes from different parts of the globe will vie at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in France from July 26 to August 11.
The Philippines is kicking it off with two major milestones. With its return at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, the country comes full-circle, marking 100 years since its first appearance at the Olympics in the same city: Paris. The Philippines is the first Southeast Asian nation to compete at the Olympic Games.
Along with its century-long legacy of Olympics participation and sportsmanship, the Philippines is also sending its largest delegation in recent years with 22 Filipino athletes competing in Paris 2024. This is the highest number of athletes since Barcelona 1992, when 26 athletes represented the Philippines at the Olympics.
A total of 22 Filipino athletes will raise the Philippine flag at the Olympic stage this year, including Aira Villegas (boxing), Aleah Finnegan (gymnastics), Bianca Pagdanganan (golf), Carlo Paalam (boxing), Carlos Yulo (gymnastics), Dottie Ardina (golf), Elreen Ando (weightlifting), Emma Malabuyo (gymnastics), Eumir Marcial (boxing), Ernest John "EJ" Obiena (athletics, pole vault), Hergie Bacyadan (boxing), Jarod Hatch (swimming), Joanie Delgaco (rowing), John Cabang Tolentino (athletics, 110-meter hurdles), John Ceniza (weightlifting), Kayla Noelle Sanchez (swimming), Kiyomi Watanabe (judo), Lauren Hoffman (athletics, 400-meter hurdles), Levi Ruivivar (gymnastics), Nesthy Petecio (boxing), Samantha Catantan (fencing) and Vanessa Sarno (weightlifting).
The Philippines comes from a successful performance at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, highlighted by weightlifting icon Hidilyn Diaz's historic achievement of bringing home the country's first Olympic gold medal along with two silver medals and one bronze medal.
In total, the Philippines has secured 14 medals at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, including wins by boxers Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam and Eumir Marcial. All three boxers have, once again, successfully earned their spots at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Support from the President
During the send-off ceremony for the Filipino Olympians in Ayuntamiento de Manila in Intramuros, Manila on June 21, President Marcos says to the Filipino athletes: "You carry our hopes and dreams to Paris. You also carry with you the banner of our nation that believes in you, stands proudly beside you and celebrates your every triumph, and is with you through any obstacle."
He adds, "As you step onto the global stage, hold our flag high, and show the world what a Filipino is made of."
In his recently concluded third State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has reiterated and sent a message of support to the athletes joining the Olympics and Paralympics in Paris.
He says: "28 of our finest athletes are competing in Paris now for the glory of the Philippines. Let us wish them well and the best [of] good luck."
In his speech, the President highlights the health-enhancing sports programs that "set forth our youth on the same well-established path that has taken some of our national champions and renowned athletes to sporting greatness."
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino then extends his gratitude to President Marcos for his well wishes and for uttering support for the athletes.
The POC head mentions in a statement, "It's definitely inspiring, and it's an extreme boost to the morale not only to our athletes competing in Paris but to the entire Philippine sports."
Tolentino adds that President Marcos' focus on sports in "a very important event in his administration — something that's never been done by past Presidents in memory — gives us the goose bumps."
The Olympics
As of this writing, there are 45 sports in the Olympics, including archery, artistic gymnastics, artistic swimming, athletics, badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, boxing, breaking, canoe slalom, canoe sprint, cycling bmx freestyle, cycling bmx racing, cycling mountain bike, cycling road, cycling track, diving, equestrian, fencing, football, golf, handball, hockey, judo, marathon swimming, modern pentathlon, rhythmic gymnastics, rowing, rugby sevens, sailing, shooting, skateboarding, sport climbing, surfing, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, trampoline, triathlon, volleyball, water polo, weightlifting and wrestling.
For the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, the 22 Filipino athletes have qualified in the following sports: athletics, boxing, fencing, golf, gymnastics, judo, rowing, swimming and weightlifting.
As it celebrates its centenary in the Olympics, the Philippines extends its well wishes for the safety and success of all Filipino athletes in their competitions.
Watch the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics in the Philippines via Cignal TV (One Sports and RPTV) and TV5. Online live streaming will be provided by Smart and on IPTV by PLDT.