THOUSANDS of fans from all walks of life lined up Manila’s streets yesterday to greet the returning athletes, led by gymnastics ace Carlos Edriel Yulo, from their triumphant stint at the Paris Olympic Games.
Fans waited for hours under the heat of the sun to catch a glimpse of the 13 sports heroes and heroines, bannered by Olympic double gold medalist Yulo, who began their two-hour long motorcade at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City around 4 p.m. and finished at the historic Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Also on the float featuring the five Olympic rings track and field athletes Lauren Hoffman, John Cabang Tolentino, judoka Kiyomi Watanabe, fencer Sam Catantan, boxers Carlo Paalam, Hergie Bacyadan, Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas, rower Joanie Delgaco, swimmers Jarrod Hatch and Kayla Sanchez and weightlifter Elreen Ann Ando.
All were unmindful of the scorching afternoon heat as the caravan snaked through Roxas Blvd. towards Rizal Park, made a turn on Padre Burgos St. towards Taft Ave. — jammed with animated and shouting fans often roaring “Yulo, Yulo!” while holding placards and pictures of the country’s latest sports star.
The gallery threw T-shirts, towels, handkerchiefs and what-have-yous at the Olympic float, hoping that some, if not all of the athletes, would autograph them and throw them as a precious memento of the occasion.
Amid the throng, Yulo’s father, Jude, sporting a white cap Clark Kent glasses, was spotted by TV cameras along Roxas Boulevard in front of the US Embassy beneath the poster “Caloy, Nandito ang Tatay Mo” held up by his friends to draw the son’s attention on the float.
It was not clear if Yulo was able to see his father, who looked joyful and smiling to see his victorious son from afar.
