Team Philippines’ Nesthy Petecio and Carlos Yulo walk down the red carpet upon their arrival in Manila after the Paris Olympics. –MELO FUERTES/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Team Philippines is back on home soil after the country’s best finish in the Olympics at the Paris Summer Games.
The Philippine delegation of athletes returned home to a warm and festive welcome at Villamor Air Base in Pasay at 7:07 pm on Tuesday.
With a total medal haul of two golds and two bronzes in Paris, members of Team Philippines were welcomed back home by their loved ones and family members.
READ: Preparing for LA 2028 starts as soon as possible for Team PH
The Team Philippines’ arrival was headlined by Paris Olympic double gold medalist Carlos Yulo.
Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas, responsible for the Philippines’ boxing bronzes, also arrived on Tuesday alongside pole vaulter EJ Obiena.
Also arriving back in Manila were the track and field duo of Lauren Hoffman and John Cabang Tolentino.
AND THEM…? THEY’RE OUR #PARIS2024 MEDALISTS! 🇵🇭
LOOK: #Olympics medalists Aira Villegas (women’s boxing, bronze), Nesthy Petecio (women’s boxing, bronze) and Carlos Yulo (2x gold medalist, gymnastics) arrive to thunderous applause with the Philippine flag. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/rZJ3HK5AmD
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) August 13, 2024
The weightlifting trio of Vanessa Sarno, John Ceniza and Elreen Ando along with Filipino sluggers Hergie Bacyadan, Carlo Paalam and Eumir Marcial also landed in Manila.
READ: Triumphant and proud, Filipino Olympians come home as heroes
Some Filipino Olympians who finished their campaign early like swimming bets Jarod Hatch and Kayla Sanchez, historic Filipino rower Joanie Delgaco, judoka Kiyomi Watanabe and rising fencing star Sam Catantan, were there to welcome their fellow athletes.
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The red carpet was rolled out to receive the Filipino athletes with 50 grade 4 students from Villamor Elementary School flanking the pathway.
They will then head to the Malacañan Palace for a grand welcome with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos.
Golfers Dottie Ardina, Bianca Pagdanganan, gymnasts Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo and Levi Ruivivar were not with the delegation that arrived in Manila.
Follow Inquirer Sports’ special coverage of the Paris Olympics 2024.
