Carlos Yulo of the Philippines holds his medal after clinching gold for the artistic apparatus category of the  SEA Games men’s artistic gymnastics on November 3, 2019. Czar Dancel, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA -- Two of the country's top medal prospects will open the Philippines' campaign in the 2024 Olympics on Saturday, a day after the Paris Games' unique opening ceremony over the Seine River.

Gymnast Carlos Yulo and boxer Eumir Marcial, as well as rower Joanie Delgaco, will be in action early as Team Philippines aims to match or surpass their performance in the 2020 Games in Tokyo -- where weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz brought home the country's first ever Olympic gold medal.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino has high expectations for Yulo and Marcial, returning Olympians who have already proven their worth on the international stage.

Marcial was a bronze medalist in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games while Yulo has won multiple medals at the continental and world level.

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"We're looking forward to Caloy [Yulo], Eumir and Joanie giving the country that strong start in Paris," said Tolentino, who will be flying back to the French capital on Tuesday. "They're all ready and inspired and in high spirits."

Yulo, who finished fourth in vault in Tokyo, competes in the qualification round of the men’s individual all-around beginning at 9:30 p.m. (Philippine time) with the finals set on Wednesday (July 31.)

The 28-year-old Marcial, on the other hand, will be competing in the light-heavyweight division. The Zamboanga City native, who has a 5-0 record as a pro, starts his bid, also at 9:30 p.m. (Philippine time) on Saturday.

Eumir Marcial takes the win against his Syrian opponent on October 4, 2023 during the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. PSC/POC Media pool handout/File

Delgaco -- the first Filipina to qualify for Olympic rowing -- tries to advance to the finals from the women’s single Sculls heats at 3 p.m. (Philippine time).

Tolentino has earlier declared confidence that the 22-athlete Team Philippines will deliver in Paris.

READ: 'Target achieved' for POC as 22 athletes qualify for Paris Games

"This team, I believe, is the most prepared in Philippine Olympic history," said Tolentino, who thanked the Philippine Sports Commission for its unrelenting support to the campaign that turned feverish with the first-ever pre-Olympic training camp in Metz, France.

"Our athletes have trained and prepared through a tried-and-tested template that guarantees an Olympic medal," he added.

A two-time world champion—in 2019 floor exercise and 2021 in vault—Yulo is joined by three more gymnasts—Filipino-Americans Aleah Finnegan, Levi Jung-Ruivivar and Emma Malabuyom while Marcial has returning Olympians Petecio and Paalam, Aira Villegas and Hergie Bacyadan in boxing.

The Philippines marks its 100th year of participation in Paris, which will gather 10,714 athletes from 206 nations competing in 329 events from 32 sports.

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