SPORTS in the Philippines is facing a brighter future with no less than President Ferdinand R. Marcos committing to develop the sector following the country’s successful campaign in the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France.

“I want to be part of the development of sports in the Philippines,” the President recently remarked.

The Chief Executive earlier gave the Filipino Olympians a hero’s welcome upon their arrival in the Philippines.

These athletes, he said, have done so well and “have made us so proud,” despite the absence of official technical support from the government.

The athletes did it on their own, and there is no formal structure to support them; that’s why the government has to establish one, he said.

“Siyempre mayroong tumutulong. Kung minsan ‘yung gobyerno nakakatulong. Pero walang pormal na istraktura para tulungan ‘yung ating mga atleta. And that’s what we are going to establish now,” he said.

“So, I ask all of you to tell us, what is it that you need? Saan kayo — noong sa pag-training ng mga atleta natin, saan kayo nahirapan? Anong hindi ninyo magawa na maitutulong namin? You tell us,” he told the athletes.

In its 23rd appearance, the Philippines sent 22 athletes to compete in nine sports events in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

The country ranked 37th in the latest Paris Olympics medal tally as of August 12, having secured two gold and two bronze medals.

In honoring the 22 Filipino Olympians, the President awarded a total of PhP50 million in cash, Medals of Merit, and Presidential Citations.

“Kami naman nagpapasalamat sa inyong lahat. Dahil bukod sa medalya – but of course, you know, Caloy … your performance was just – it deserves two gold medals. And that’s how high a standard that we have reached,” President Marcos said in a speech.

The President awarded P20 million in cash and the Presidential Medal of Merit to double Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo.

President Marcos also extended PhP2 million each to bronze medalists Aira Cordero Villegas and Nesthy Alcayde Petecio, and PhP1 million each to other Olympians.

He also gave P1 million each to the rest of the Olympians and P500,000 to their coaching teams.

President Marcos acknowledged the hard work and sacrifices of the athletes and expressed his gratitude to the coaches, trainers, nutritionists, parents and loved ones of the Olympians for shaping them into the exceptional athletes.

He also emphasized that the athletes have demonstrated the spirit of the Filipino, the determination of a Filipino, and the excellence of the Filipino spirit.

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