These Filipino Olympians prove that, beyond the competition, it’s nothing but love, support, and sportsmanship.
Related: What These Filipino Olympians Had To Overcome To Get To Where They Are
Filipino athletes once again punched above their weight at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Most would have been okay if Team Philippines took home just one gold medal. Instead, through hard work, determination, and athletic talent, they took home a historic two courtesy of Carlos Yulo. Add to that bronze medals from Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio and a couple of close calls, and Team Philippines ended their time in Paris with the country’s most successful run at the Games yet.
In between all this history-making were millions cheering them on, including the athletes themselves in a true sense of athletic spirit. Whether it be medal wins or near misses, the Filipino Olympians still gave each other that deserved pat on the back. Scroll down for a few heartwarming moments between Filipino athletes in Paris 2024 that showed how beyond the competition will always be a sense of pride and respect.
HIDILYN DIAZ BEING THE OLYMPIC ATE
While she sadly didn’t qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Hidilyn Diaz still made her presence felt as a big cheerleader to the Filipino athletes who did. After winning the Philippines’ first-ever gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Hidilyn became that supportive big sister these athletes deserved, most notably when she congratulated Carlos Yulo on his first gold medal. “Para sa iyo Caloy, Proud ako sa iyo. I enjoy mo ang bunga ng pinagpaguran mo,” the Olympian wrote in the caption to an Instagram post that included throwback pics of the two. Seeing the first Filipino Olympic gold medalist greet the second Filipino Olympic gold medalist felt correct.
GOLD MEDALISTS IRL
Carlos Yulo had quite a few Olympians congratulate him on his historic wins, like the wholesome moment when the UK’s Harry Hepworth, who took home bronze in the artistic gymnastics men’s vault final, reminded Caloy that he’s a two-time Olympic champion. But our favorite was seeing Hidilyn Diaz personally meet and congratulate the golden boy when she flew to Paris at the tail end of the Games. The golden energy here is immense. You love to see it.
ALEAH FINNEGAN AND SUNI LEE WATCHING CARLOS YULO TAKE HOME THE GOLD
@aleahfinn THE “where were you when” moment. #PINOYPRIDE #philippines #olympics #gymnastics #carlosyulo #goldmedal #foryou ♬ original sound – aleah finnegan
Watching Olympic gymnasts cheer on Carlos Yulo is the kind of wholesome content we signed up for. Case in point: Carlos’ teammate Aleah Finnegan was in the crowd watching Caloy take home his first Olympic gold medal. But what made it even better was that she was with Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee. Like, imagine the Suni Lee watching you make history live. That’s lowkey a flex.
DIFFERENT ATHLETES COMING TOGETHER TO SHOW SUPPORT
The crossover we didn’t know we needed. Team Philippines is proving that regardless of the sport, they’ll still be there to cheer each other on, like when boxer Eumir Marcial congratulated Carlos Yulo on his gold medal or members of the Philippine delegation watched Aira Villegas’ match together. They were more than just teammates, they were family.
WIN OR LOSE, THEY’RE STILL THERE FOR EACH OTHER
While there were moments of triumph, Team Philippines also had a few heartbreaking setbacks. Yet, when they were down, Filipino Olympians were there to pick each other back up. Most notably, EJ Obiena’s near miss of a podium finish in men’s pole vault was a bitter pill to swallow for many, much so for the World’s No. 2 pole vaulter.
But he had friends by his side, such as Eumir Marcial, another Filipino athlete who suffered a shocking lose at the Paris Games, who took to social media to comfort the pole vaulter. “Ngayon umiiyak tayo dahil hindi natin naiuwi ang tagumpay na gusto natin pagbalik ng Pilipinas. Masakit dahil mahal natin yung ginagawa natin at importante ito para saatin. Malungkot tayo ngayon pero darating ang panahon sa atin naman ang tagumpay,” shared Marcial. It’s a kind of comforting sympathy that only athletes can understand.
Continue Reading: How The Paris 2024 Athletes Are Making The Olympics Way More Fun
