Filipino Boxers Petecio and Paalam to Carry PH Flag at Paris Olympics Opening
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham Tolentino announced that Filipino boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam will carry the Philippine flag during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games to be held in Paris, France. Both Petecio and Paalam earned the right to compete in their second Olympic stint after securing silver medals in their debut matches in Tokyo in 2021.
Petecio accomplished the task by defeating Turkish boxer Esra Yildiz Kahraman in the women's 57kg weight class in the first World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Italy. She also holds the distinction of being the first-ever Filipino woman boxer to reach the podium in the Olympics.
ALSO READ
Meet the Twentysomething Guy Backing Some of Your Favorite Local Sports Teams
The Story of Raymond Townsend, the First Filipino-American to Play in the NBA
Paalam, on the other hand, gained his spot after a great win over Indian boxer Sachin Siwach in the 57kg weight class at the second Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Bangkok, Thailand. The 25-year-old slugger bagged the silver after a harrowing split-decision defeat to Galal Yafai of Great Britain during their men’s flyweight final three years ago.
The Paris Olympic Games will be held from July 26 to August 11, 2024. The opening festivities are set to take place at the beautiful River Seine and Jardins du Trocadéro.
The two prized boxers are part of a five-athlete delegation along with another great boxer, bronze medalist Eumir Marcial, and two boxers making their initial Olympic appearance, Hergie Bacyadan and Aira Villegas.
Aside from the boxing delegation, also part of the Philippine contingent are gymnasts Emma Malabuyo, Aleah Finnegan, Levi Ruibibar, and Carlos Yulo, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, rower Joanie Delgaco, fencer Samantha Catantan, as well as weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, Elreen Ando, and John Ceniza.
POC President Tolentino hoped to boost the morale of the Philippine team by having former medalist Hidilyn Diaz carry the Philippine flag despite not being a competitor at the Paris Games but was unable to get the necessary approval to do so.
“Tinanong ko rin sa Paris if they will allow yung hindi ka qualified pero ikaw yung flag-bearer. Kailangan (daw) lalaro,” Tolentino said.
Additional athletes from the disciplines of athletics and swimming are expected to qualify after the Olympic qualification period closes on June 30.
