TWO of the country’s top medal prospects, gymnast Carlos Yulo and boxer Eumir Felix Marcial, and rower Joanie Delgaco kick off the Philippine campaign this Saturday (July 27)—a day after the Paris Olympics’ unique opening ceremony over the Seine River.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino expects returning Olympians Yulo and Tokyo 2020 bronze medalist Marcial to kick-start the bid with the country hoping to match or surpass the historic first Olympic gold Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo won in Tokyo 2020 and the silvers of boxers Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio.
“We’re looking forward to Caloy [Yulo], Eumir and Joanie giving the country that strong start in Paris,” said Tolentino, who will be flying to the French capital on Tuesday. “They’re all ready and inspired and in high spirits.”
Yulo, 23, who finished fourth in Tokyo in vault, competes in the qualification round of the men’s individual all-around beginning at 9:30 p.m. (Philippine time) with the finals of set on Wednesday (July 31.)
The 28-year-old Marcial, on the other hand, will be competing in the light-heavyweight division after bringing home the middleweight bronze medal from Tokyo.
The Zamboanga City native, who has a 5-0 record as a pro, starts his bid, also also at 9:30 p.m. (Philippine time) on Saturday.
Delgaco, meanwhile, tries to advance to the finals from the women’s single Sculls heats at 3 p.m. (Philippine time)—she’s the first Filipina to qualify for Olympic rowing.
Tolentino has earlier declared confidence that the 22-athlete Team Philippines will deliver in Paris.
“This team, I believe, is the most prepared in Philippine Olympic history,” said Tolentino, who thanked the Philippine Sports Commission for its unrelenting support to the campaign that turned feverish with the first-ever pre-Olympic training camp in Metz, France.
“Our athletes have trained and prepared through a tried-and-tested template that guarantees an Olympic medal,” he added.
A two-time world champion—in 2019 floor exercise and 2021 in vault—Yulo is joined by three more gymnasts—Filipino-Americans Aleah Finnegan, Levi Jung-Ruivivar and Emma Malabuyom while Marcial has returning Olympians Petecio and Paalam, Aira Villegas and Hergie Bacyadan in boxing.
The Philippines marks its 100th year of participation in Paris, which will gather 10,714 athletes from 206 nations competing in 329 events from 32 sports.
