Different now: Money comes in for national athletes as investment, not just bonus
The bonuses that await Filipino medalists of the 2024 Paris Olympics have already been documented, with the likes of Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo, the country’s first gold medalist in the Summer Games’ history, and silver medalists Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio benefiting from the windfall that followed their feats.
What’s new for the latest batch of Olympians is not the bonuses that await them. It’s the fact that both public and private sectors have invested in the athletes before they even begin competing in the glamorous French capital.
Malacañang has pledged €100 per day (roughly P6,400) for every athlete, counting the days that they are spending in a preparation camp in Metz, where several of them settled in as early as last month.
“It’s really a big help for all athletes and officials there,’’ said Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who after the Tokyo Olympics said he would push for financial support for the athletes as an investment and not just as a bonus.
Already, the Olympians have received P500,000 each and have gotten financial backing from private companies even before the Olympics officially starts on July 26.
“This is a different level. The mood of our athletes is incomparable at the training camp. They’ve all leveled up and in very high spirits,’’ said Tolentino, hoping to surpass the nation’s medal record in Tokyo 2021, where Team Philippines scored a gold, two silvers and a bronze.
Aside from Diaz’s breakthrough gold and the silvers of Petecio and Paalam, Eumir Marcial contributed a bronze in boxing.
Petecio, Paalam and Marcial are back for another shot at Olympic glory, with other viable medalists including world No. 2 pole vaulter EJ Obiena and world champion gymnast Carlos Yulo.
Joining them are fellow boxers Hergie Bacyadan, Aira Villegas, lifters Elreen Ando, Vanessa Sarno, John Ceniza, fencer Samantha Catantan, rower Joanie Delgaco and judoka Kiyomi Watanabe, who are all accounted for in Metz.
“Definitely, we will deliver. With this template, with this preparation, we will surpass the Tokyo record,’’ said Tolentino.
Gymnasts Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo and Levi Jung-Ruivivar have checked in as well along with swimmer Jarod Hatch. Golfers Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina will play in a tournament near Paris before joining the camp.
