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A gold medal-winning Filipino gymnast has received more than just bragging rights for his achievement.
Carlos E Yulo, 24, made history on Saturday, August 3, as the first male Olympic gold medalist in Philippine history after winning the men’s gymnastics floor event. Yulo received another gold medal a day later for his vault routine. Since completing these difficult feats, several companies have collaborated to make Yulo’s victory even more special.
To achieve his victories, Yulo scored an average of 15.116 in the vault on Sunday, August 4, beating Armenian Artur Davtyan (14.966) and Great Britain's Harry Hepworth (14.949). In the floor exercise he scored 15 points, beating the reigning Olympic champion, Israeli Artem Dolgopyat, by just 0.034 of a point.
One of the prizes given to the Olympians was a two-bedroom apartment in the McKinley Hill township near the country's capital, Manila. Philippine real estate company Megaworld announced earlier this month that it would gift these apartments to the country's Olympic athletes who specifically retired with a gold medal. Yulo is the only person to have done so.
“In 2024, we celebrate our 100th anniversary of participation in the Olympic Games, and what better way to celebrate this milestone than by recognizing the magnificent competitive spirit of our most recent Olympic gold medalist and welcoming him to McKinley Hill,” said the company's president, Lourdes T Gutiérrez-Alfonso, in her press release.
“As one of the most famous addresses in Fort Bonifacio, McKinley Hill is home to several world-class athletes, including members of the Philippine national basketball and football teams. This makes it the perfect home for Filipino champions who live a life of passion and excellence from start to finish.”
The gold medallist was also offered several cash prizes, including 10 million Philippine pesos, the equivalent of $173,300, while the country's House of Representatives pledged to give Yulo an additional six million pesos for his achievements.
Several restaurant chains across the country have also decided to participate in Yulo's gold medal celebration by offering lifetime supplies of ramen, macaroni and cheese, and grilled chicken.
A gastroenterologist gave Yulo free consultations and colonoscopies for life, while the University of Mindanao offered him free college credits if he decides he wants to go back to school.
Talking with him BBCThe mayor of Yulo's hometown of Manila is starting to plan a “hero's welcome” for him once the Olympics conclude.
“We will give him and all our Olympic athletes in Paris the most magnificent welcome. 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,” Mayor Honey Lacuna of the city said, according to the outlet.
Shortly after winning the vault, Yulo admitted how surprised he was to have received a medal. “I was just hoping to do well. I wasn’t really expecting a medal,” he told reporters at the time.
“I really felt great. It’s crazy because I couldn’t sleep last night. I was so excited because I won that gold medal. [the day before].”
