Filipino athletes have their work cut out for them as they head for the Paris Olympics, but also, a lot to celebrate. Here’s why.
A glamorous city. Breathtaking stadiums. Elite athletes.
For one reason or another, the 2024 Paris Olympics has the entire world already on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating its official opening. But, for Team Philippines, that anticipation, eagerness, and excitement might be dialed up a notch (or several more) for a good number of reasons.
For the Philippines, Paris represents more than just another Olympic city hosting another edition of the Summer Games in another Olympic year. The history between the two goes way back…
Paris was the Philippines’ first
The Olympics have been around since the historic Athens 1896 edition. But, you’d have to fast forward several years to find the Philippine flag waving at the Summer Games.
The very first time a Filipino represented the Philippines at the prestigious Games was in the 1924 Paris Olympics. This was a historic moment for the country, of course. But on top of this, the Philippines also broke a barrier, becoming the first Southeast Asian nation to compete in the Olympics.
The Philippines’ participation in the Games began humbly. In 1924, the flag was upheld by just one representative: track and field athlete David Nepomuceno.
In 1924, the sprinter competed in the men’s 100-meter and men’s 200-meter events, which were held at the Stade Yves-du-Manoir in France, a famous sporting ground where the 1938 FIFA World Cup Final was held. This year, the venue will also be used for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Although Nepomuceno did not advance past his heats in the Stade Yves-du-Manoir, he still made history as the Philippines’ first-ever Olympian.
100 years later
It has been an entire century since the Philippines first competed in the Olympics, which is what makes the 2024 edition so special for the country. Not only does this mark 100 years of the Philippines’ participation in the Summer Games, but they also get to celebrate this centennial anniversary in the same city where they made their debut.
Back in 1924, the Philippines was still technically considered an American insular territory. However, according to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the International Olympic Committee gave the country the opportunity to join the Games as a participating nation, even though this meant that the Philippine flag was paraded under the United States flag.
100 years later, the Philippines is standing strong on its own at the Olympic Games.
The biggest Team Philippines in over 3 decades
David Nepomuceno would be proud to see how far the Philippines has come since the 1924 Games.
This year, the Philippines will be sending a total of 22 athletes to the Paris 2024 Olympics — the country’s biggest delegation since the 1992 Barcelona Games. 22 is also three more than the country had in the last edition held in Tokyo, and nine more than the delegation that competed in Rio eight years ago.
This is a showcase of the Philippines’ growth in the international sports industry, and this goes beyond numbers.
In the leadup to Paris 2024, several Filipino athletes have been noted as Olympic medal hopefuls. This includes World No. 2 Pole Vaulter EJ Obiena, Gymnastics World Champion Carlos Yulo, and 2020 Tokyo Olympic medalists Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, and Eumir Marcial. In addition, Paris 2024 also comes on the heels of the Philippines’ biggest medal haul, which they achieved in 2021 with four medals, including the country’s first-ever gold won by Hidilyn Diaz.
With proven records on the international stage, the Filipino Olympians in Paris this year will no doubt be chasing podium finishes, aiming to bring glory to the country.
Banner image from Paris 2024 on Facebook.
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