Petecio, Paalam honored to carry PH flag in Olympics opening | ABS-CBN
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Petecio, Paalam honored to carry PH flag in Olympics opening
Petecio, Paalam honored to carry PH flag in Olympics opening
Boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam during the Allianz PNB Life and Philippine Sports Commission send off for the 2024 Paris Olympics at Makati Diamond Residences on June 20, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
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MANILA -- Boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam will have the honor of carrying the Philippine flag during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics next month.
MANILA -- Boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam will have the honor of carrying the Philippine flag during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics next month.
The announcement, made by the Philippine Olympic Committee last week, recognizes Petecio and Paalam's achievements in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where they both secured silver medals.
The announcement, made by the Philippine Olympic Committee last week, recognizes Petecio and Paalam's achievements in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where they both secured silver medals.
They have since booked their return trip to the Games, with both eyeing another podium finish in Paris.
They have since booked their return trip to the Games, with both eyeing another podium finish in Paris.
The 2024 selection marks a continuation of the International Olympic Committee's gender equality initiative. In 2021, boxer Eumir Marcial and judoka Kiyomi Watanabe shared flag-bearer duties in Tokyo, setting a precedent for the Paris Games.
The 2024 selection marks a continuation of the International Olympic Committee's gender equality initiative. In 2021, boxer Eumir Marcial and judoka Kiyomi Watanabe shared flag-bearer duties in Tokyo, setting a precedent for the Paris Games.
Petecio clinched her spot in Paris at the World Olympic Qualification Tournament 1 held last March in Busto Arsizio, Italy. Paalam followed suit, securing his berth via the second and final OQT held in Bangkok this June.
Petecio clinched her spot in Paris at the World Olympic Qualification Tournament 1 held last March in Busto Arsizio, Italy. Paalam followed suit, securing his berth via the second and final OQT held in Bangkok this June.
"Sobrang blessed, honoured kasi ako napili maging flag bearer pero sa totoo po reaction ko, 'Ay talaga?'" Petecio said. "Kasi talaga, nasa isip ko si EJ (Obiena) at Caloy (Yulo)."
"Sobrang blessed, honoured kasi ako napili maging flag bearer pero sa totoo po reaction ko, 'Ay talaga?'" Petecio said. "Kasi talaga, nasa isip ko si EJ (Obiena) at Caloy (Yulo)."
"Sila po talaga, so never ko naisip na magiging isa ako doon. So sobrang thankful po ako," she added.
"Sila po talaga, so never ko naisip na magiging isa ako doon. So sobrang thankful po ako," she added.
Paalam, meanwhile, acknowledges the weight of this prestigious opportunity.
Paalam, meanwhile, acknowledges the weight of this prestigious opportunity.
"Masaya po kasi di lang apelyido dala namin po eh. Buong Pilipinas yung dala namin naglalakad kami hawak bandila," he said.
"Masaya po kasi di lang apelyido dala namin po eh. Buong Pilipinas yung dala namin naglalakad kami hawak bandila," he said.
The Paris Games will run from July 26 to August 11, with the opening ceremony set at the Jardins du Trocadéro and River Seine.
The Paris Games will run from July 26 to August 11, with the opening ceremony set at the Jardins du Trocadéro and River Seine.
Petecio and Paalam are part of the Philippines' five-athlete boxing delegation to the Summer Games, along with Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Marcial and and debutants Aira Villegas and Hergie Bacyadan.
Petecio and Paalam are part of the Philippines' five-athlete boxing delegation to the Summer Games, along with Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Marcial and and debutants Aira Villegas and Hergie Bacyadan.
Also set to represent the country in Paris are: pole vaulter EJ Obiena; fencer Samantha Catantan; gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo and Levi Ruivivar; rower Joanie Delgaco; and weightlifters John Ceniza, Elreen Ando, and Vanessa Sarno.
Also set to represent the country in Paris are: pole vaulter EJ Obiena; fencer Samantha Catantan; gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo and Levi Ruivivar; rower Joanie Delgaco; and weightlifters John Ceniza, Elreen Ando, and Vanessa Sarno.
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