MANILA – Two of the country’s top medal prospects, gymnast Carlos Yulo and boxer Eumir Felix Marcial, will kick off Team Philippines’ campaign in the 2024 Paris Olympics today in Paris, France.
The 23-year-old Yulo, who finished fourth in the vault event during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, 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.)
“Siguro nung [Tokyo] Olympics, hindi lang siguro ako aware na overwhelmed ako sa lahat ng nangyayari. Pero overwhelmed talaga ako nun,” Yulo told Cignal TV/One Sports. “Dine-deny ko lang siguro siya, pero alam ko sa sarili ko na kabado ako.”
“Sa araw na ‘yun, kung anong kaya kong gawin, ibubuhos ko lahat. May mga mistakes po. Kailangan ko lang siguro na huwag ako magmadali [at] mag mas-focus sa breathing ko pa,” he added.
The 28-year-old Marcial, on the other hand, will be competing in the light-heavyweight division beginning at 9:30 p.m. (Philippine time) after bringing home the middleweight bronze medal from Tokyo.
Before Yulo and Marcial, rower Joanie Delgaco tries to advance to the finals from the women’s single Sculls heats at three in the afternoon (Philippine time) over at the Seine River.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino expects Yulo, Marcial, and Delgaco to have an impressive performance as the country aims to match the one gold, two silver, and one bronze haul in Tokyo, Japan.
“We’re looking forward to Caloy [Yulo], Eumir and Joanie giving the country that strong start in Paris,” Tolentino said in a statement. “They’re all ready and inspired and in high spirits.”
“This team, I believe, is the most prepared in Philippine Olympic history,” he added. “Our athletes have trained and prepared through a tried-and-tested template that guarantees an Olympic medal.”
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./PN
