2024 Paris Olympic Games PH Bet Kayla Sanchez. Handout photo.

MANILA — Kayla Sanchez and Jarod Hatch are poised to make history for the Philippines in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

After qualifying for the Summer Games, the two stars are in a good position to win the country’s first medal in the event since Teofilo Yldefonso’s bronze finish in the 1932 Los Angeles Games.

Leading the way is Sanchez, who has already reached the same finish during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, albeit for Canada.

Even before deciding to switch nationalities last year, the 23-year-old, full-blooded Filipina has already won a number of medals despite her young career.

Since 2016, Sanchez has won numerous gold, silver, and bronze medals in various 4x100m freestyle tilts, and these included feats in the 2017 World Junior Championships (3 golds, 1 silver, 1 bronze), 2018 Commonwealth Games (2 silvers), 2021 World Championships (3 golds, 1 silver), and the 2022 World Championships (2 silvers), 4 bronzes).

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After winning silver (4x100m freestyle) and bronze (4x100m medley) in Tokyo, Sanchez then decided to finally represent the Philippines, and she made her debut for the country during the 19th Asian Games in China.

Now, she will be hoping to bring her extensive experience to the Philippines yet again when she finally dons the National colors in Paris starting next week.

Also aiming to do the same is the 25-year-old Hatch who has represented the Philippines since 2018.

2024 Paris Olympic Games PH bet Jarod Hatch. Photo from Instagram/Jarod Hatch

One of his biggest victories then for PH was during the 2019 Asian Games here, wherein he was a part of the squad that won silver in the 4x100m freestyle relay.

However, Jarod already had an early retirement in 2021 due to the physical and mental toll that the sport has put on him. But when flag and country came calling, the UC Berkeley product made a splash anew and eventually won another silver for the Philippines during the 2023 SEA Games's 4x100m freestyle relay.

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The two swimmers will now be looking to translate their respective successes in the upcoming Paris Games, as Sanchez will compete in the women's 100m freestyle while Hatch will go up against the world's best in the men's 100m butterfly.

Kayla's event will open on July 31, while Jarod will take stage starting August 2.