Joe McConnell
Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo won his second Olympic gold medal in two days, becoming the second athlete to take home the Games’ top prize for his country.
A three-bedroom apartment, thousands of dollars and free ramen for life are just some of the gifts the government and local brands have pledged to give the 24-year-old for his historic victories in the men’s floor exercise and vault events.
Mr Yulo’s feat has also made him the country’s latest social media star.
“Another gold for the Philippines! History has been made again! You are so awesome! [You are incredible!]” wrote one user on X.
Mr. Yulo averaged 15.116 on vault Sunday, edging out Armenia’s Artur Davtyan (14.966) and Britain’s Harry Hepworth (14.949).
He threw his arms in the air and hugged his fellow athletes when he heard his score. He came into the competition without great expectations, he told reporters.
“I was just hoping to do well. I wasn’t really expecting a medal,” Mr Yulo said.
“For me it was really a bonus. It’s crazy, because last night I couldn’t sleep. I was so excited because I won that gold medal. [the day before].
Just 24 hours earlier, Mr. Yulo had won the gold medal for the men’s floor exercise with 15 points, edging out Israel’s Artem Dolgopyat by just 0.034 points. Mr. Dolgopyat had been the reigning Olympic champion and world title holder.
Mr. Yulo’s double gold feat is now the most talked about topic on X, formerly known as Twitter, in the Philippines.
“It took 100 years to hear Lupang Hinirang [the Philippines’ national anthem] two nights in a row with the world watching. Thank you so much for the pride and historic moment!” wrote user X.
It has been a century since the Philippines made its Olympic debut in 1924. Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz won the country’s first Olympic gold medal in Tokyo three years ago.
Philippine celebrities and public figures, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, also congratulated Mr. Yulo.
“There are no words that can express how proud we are of you, Caloy. You have achieved GOLD for the Philippines not once, but twice! Filipinos all over the world have come together, cheering and rooting for you,” Mr. Marcos wrote on Facebook.
The Philippine government will give the gymnast 10 million Philippine pesos (US$173,300; £135,400), a reward promised to all gold medal winners, while a real estate agency has promised him a fully furnished three-bedroom apartment in McKinley Hill, the largest residential complex in metropolitan Manila.
The House of Representatives pledged to give Mr. Yulo an additional 6 million pesos in cash incentives, while the speaker of the lower house, Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, described him as a “sports hero” and a “national treasure.”
Medical clinics and universities also rolled out the red carpet for the national hero: a gastroenterologist offered Mr. Yulo free checkups and colonoscopies for life, while the University of Mindanao promised free college credits.
There are also some waiting for him Ramen supplies for lifemacaroni and cheese and grilled chicken offered by various restaurant chains.
Meanwhile, the capital city of Manila, where Mr. Yulo was born and raised, is preparing a “hero’s welcome” for him.
“The greatest welcome will be reserved for him and all our Paris Olympic athletes. When we meet him, we will present Carlos Yulo with cash incentives, prizes and symbols of the eternal gratitude of the proud capital of the Philippines,” said the city’s mayor, Honey Lacuna.
More information from Virma Simonette in Manila
