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 on Saturday (July 27), a day after the Paris Olympics’ unique opening ceremony at the Seine River.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino expects Yulo and Tokyo 2021 bronze medalist Marcial to jumpstart the Pinoy bid, with the country out to match or surpass the historic first Olympic gold that Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo won in Tokyo and the silver medals of boxers Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio.
“We’re looking forward to Caloy, Eumir and Joanie giving the country a strong start in Paris,” said Tolentino, who will leave for the French capital on Tuesday. “They’re all ready and inspired and in high spirits.”
Yulo, 23, who finished fourth in Tokyo in the vault, competes in the qualification round of the men’s individual all-around beginning at 9:30 p.m. (Philippine time) with the finals set on Wednesday (July 31.)
Marcial, 28, is 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 at 9:30 p.m. (Philippine time) on Saturday.
Delgaco, the first Filipina to qualify in Olympic rowing, tries to advance to the finals of the women’s single Sculls heats at 3 p.m. (Philippine time).
Tolentino is confident 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 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 in 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 is competing along with returning Olympians Petecio and Paalam, Aira Villegas and Hergie Bacyadan.
The Philippines is marking its 100th year of Olympic participation in Paris, where 10,714 athletes from 206 nations are competing in 329 events in 32 sports disciplines.
