Given the prestige and symbolic significance of the Olympic Games as a global sporting event, it is no wonder that each country’s representative is celebrated as national heroes.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. himself, in recognition of the role athletes play in nation building, has taken action to provide additional funding to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to support the preparation and participation of Philippine athletes in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Last June, President Marcos led the farewell ceremony for nine of the 15 Filipino athletes who represented the Philippines at the Paris Olympics.
“To our athletes: you carry our hopes and dreams to Paris, you also carry with you the flag of our nation that believes in you, stands proudly beside you and celebrates every victory of yours, and is with you through overcome any obstacle,” he said. said.
“All this demonstrates this commitment we have to the advancement of Filipino athletes by equipping them with the tools and encouragement to realize their full potential,” he added.
The additional support is in addition to the government’s continued investments in sports development, such as a P52 million grant for the preparation, training and participation of Philippine athletes in the Paris Games. According to reports, the government has invested $1.156 billion in sports this year alone through the PSC to fund the “progress of Filipino athletes by equipping them with the tools and encouragement to realize their full potential.”
“We continue to rehabilitate our major sports facilities such as the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex [and] the PhilSports Complex, to give our youth a befitting stage to improve and showcase their talents,” said President Marcos.
“And currently, we are completing the National Academy of Sports System in Tarlac and the Philippine Sports Training Center in Bataan to train, hone and develop current and aspiring athletes for future competitions,” he stated.
Of course, there are also bountiful rewards for those who come home victorious. In addition to the personal prestige of their achievements, the inspiration they bring to countless of their countrymen and the honor they bring to the country on the world stage, winning athletes receive substantial incentives from both the government and the private sector, equivalent to the significance of their success. .
A good example is weightlifting icon Hidilyn Diaz, who won the Philippines’ first-ever Olympic gold at the 2021 Tokyo Games. Her victory earned her more than P50 million in financial incentives, along with additional rewards such as houses, apartments and free flights for life from the country’s airlines. Leading business tycoons such as Ramon Ang of San Miguel and Dennis Uy, as well as several government officials, have contributed millions to her compensation package.
The trend continues as Filipino athletes prepare for the Paris Olympics. Gymnast Carlos Yulo, who secured the country’s first double gold medals, and bronze-winning boxers Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio, have already been promised significant rewards.
Under Republic Act 10699, which outlines benefits for national athletes and coaches, Mr. Yulo is entitled to P20 million for his double gold achievement, while silver and bronze medalists will receive P5 million and P2 million, respectively.
Mr. Marcos further announced during a hero’s welcome at the Malacañan Palace that Mr. Yulo would receive another P20 million, with P2 million each for Ms. Villegas and Petecio, and P1 million for each Philippine Olympian in Paris. The athletes’ coaches will also receive P500,000.
The House of Representatives also pledged its support, promising Mr. Yulo P6 million for his Olympic victory, along with another P8.010 million from contributions from members of the House of Representatives. The bronze medalists received P4 million each, including contributions and previous awards. Other Philippine Olympians received P1 million each.
Local governments and private companies have also joined. The City of Manila will reward Malate native Mr. Yulo with P2 million; while EJ Obiena, born and raised in Tondo and who finished fourth in the pole vault at Paris 2024, will receive P500,000. The Philippine Olympic Committee offers houses and lots to gold medalists; while Megaworld Yulo is donating a fully furnished three-bedroom unit in McKinley Hill worth P32 million, along with a cash prize of P3 million.
Further incentives for Mr. Yulo include P5 million from ArenaPlus, a house and lot in Nasugbu, Batangas worth P6 million from Century Properties Group, and P3 million from Bounty Fresh Group Holdings Inc. Philippine Airlines has awarded him 150,000 Mabuhay Miles per year for life. , while Cebu Pacific offers every Philippine Olympic 28 local and international flights for free.
Other notable rewards include a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado from Toyota Motors Philippines, free buffets for life from Vikings, free food and drinks for life from Tipsy Pig, and a range of other benefits from various companies such as free furniture, engineering design services, and even free stomach -intestinal consultations. Mr. Yulo will also receive a digital steel security safe from Honeywell Safes Philippines and Tupperware products worth P1 million. — Bjorn Biel M. Beltran