Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo’s historic double gold medal win at the Paris Olympics is being celebrated across the Philippines.
Ferdinand Marcos, the president, said the Philippines had “witnessed history” when Yulo became the first Filipino man to win an Olympic gold medal after competing in the artistic gymnastic floor exercise on Saturday. He is only the second Filipino athlete to win an Olympic gold, after weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz in 2020. On Sunday, Yulo soared to the top of the podium again in the vault, thus becoming the first Filipino to win two golds – and at a single Olympics.
“No words can express how proud we are of you,” Marcos said. “Filipinos all over the world stood united, cheering and rooting for you.”
And it's not just praise from the president that's been raining down on Yulo. He will be given 6m Philippines pesos (US$103,676) and a congressional medal by the government, which will be topped up by a further 10m pesos under a law that promises incentives to athletes.
Not to be left out, private sector companies have also announced a flurry of gifts, including a fully furnished three-bedroom house worth 32m pesos (US$552,802) in Manila. Yulo was also offered lifetime supplies of mac and cheese, plus other Filipino dishes by various chain restaurants.
It's also a good moment in time for those that share the same name as Yulo. Various eateries and cafes are suddenly offering free meals or milkshakes to anyone named Carlos, Caloy (his nickname) or Edriel (his middle name), while a music venue offered free entry over the weekend to anyone whose name began with C.