Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam named Philippine flagbearers during 2024 Paris Olympics
Filipino boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam will serve as the Philippines's flagbearers during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
In a briefing on June 17, Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino said they were trying to get weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, the country's first Olympic gold medalist, as a flagbearer despite not competing in this year's summer games.
Paris, however, only accepts participants in the games as flagbearers.
“Tinanong ko rin sa Paris if they will allow yung hindi ka qualified pero ikaw 'yung flagbearer. Kailangan (daw) lalaro,” GMA News quoted Tolentino as saying. “So sino 'yung susunod na mataas... So we’ll give it to the two silvers, Nesthy and Carlo."
Petecio and Paalam won silver in their respective divisions during the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
Petecio secured her slot at the Paris Olympics last March after defeating Turkey's Esra Yildiz Kahraman in the women's 57-kilogram division during the qualifiers in Italy.
Paalam, meanwhile, booked his Olympics ticket after defeating India's Sachin Siwach in the men's 57kg division qualifiers in Thailand.
The 2024 Paris Olympics will be held from July 26 to Aug. 11.
Other Filipino athletes participating in the event include pole vaulter EJ Obiena; fencer Samantha Catantan; gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo, and Levi Ruivivar; rower Joanie Delgaco; and weightlifters John Ceniza, Elreen Ando, and Vanessa Sarno.
