LOOK: PH athletes during the 2024 Paris Olympics closing ceremony
Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo and boxer Aira Villegas led Team Philippines during the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics at the Stade De France on Aug. 12, Manila time.
Yulo and Villegas served as the country's flag-bearers. They missed the opening ceremony along the Seine River as they prepared for their matches.
Hurdler Lauren Hoffman and golfers Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina also attended the closing ceremony.
@olympic.ph/Instagram
@olympic.ph/Instagram
@olympic.ph/Instagram
@olympic.ph/Instagram
@olympic.ph/Instagram
@olympic.ph/Instagram
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The Philippines celebrated a century of Olympic participation in Paris 2024, sending a delegation of 22 athletes.
This year is the Philippines's most successful Olympic outing to date, with a haul of four medals.
Yulo won the men's vault and men's floor exercise, securing the country's historic double gold, while Villegas, in her Olympic debut, got bronze in the women's 50kg division. Pagdanganan and Ardina, meanwhile, finished at joint 4th and joint 13th, respectively, in the women’s golf.
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said he's preparing a hero's welcome for the Filipino athletes who will return home on Aug. 13.
The athletes will be met by their families at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay before heading to the Philippine International Convention Center for a ceremonial welcome by government officials. A heroes' parade through Manila will then follow.
The parade will culminate at Malacañang Palace to be welcomed by the First Family, even as they're honored and given incentives.
Marcos will "personally honor the athletes and present them with their well-deserved incentives in recognition of their extraordinary contributions to Philippine sports and their stellar performance in the 2024 Paris Olympics,” the Presidential Communications Office said in a Facebook post on Aug. 9.
The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) also paid tribute to the Filipino athletes in an Instagram post on Aug. 12.
"From the City of Lights to the world, the Philippines shines brighter than ever as we march in the Paris 2024 Closing Ceremonies!" it said in the caption.
"With every step, we carry the pride of a nation, the dreams of our athletes, and the unwavering spirit of Filipino resilience. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas," it added.
The United States topped Paris 2024 with 126 medals (40 golds, 44 silvers, and 42 bronzes).
China also got 40 golds, though had an overall medal haul of 91 (with 27 silvers and 24 bronzes).
The host France got 16 golds, 26 silvers, and 22 bronzes.
The US will host the next edition of the games, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.