Philippine Olympic champions Hidilyn Diaz and Carlos Yulo meet in Paris on Aug. 8, 2024. PHOTO FROM DIAZ’S FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM
In social media posts, the Philippines' first Olympic gold medalist, Hidilyn Diaz, met up with the country's newest champion, Carlos Yulo in Paris, after he won two gold medals in men's artistic gymnastics.
Diaz reposted stories on her Instagram handle bonding with Yulo in the French capital, where the Games are still taking place until Sunday's closing ceremonies.
Joining them was Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino and his family.
Gymnast Carlos Yulo (left) and weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz (right) with POC president Bambol Tolentino. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Speaking to reporters in Paris, Yulo recalled Diaz sharing her gold medal with him during the previous Olympics in Tokyo and said he was emotional at the time, because of his performance during those Games.
"I was so overwhelmed and frustrated at the time, and I didn't know what to do," Yulo said in Filipino. "Now, all the hard work and persistence are worth it. I always bring the motivation and inspiration from ate Hidilyn whenever I compete."
Diaz told Yulo that she is proud of him, having overcome all the challenges leading up to the Paris Olympics.
"I know what he went through. I'm only on the sides but I know. I'm so proud of you for overcoming all the challenges, and congratulations," she told the double Olympic champion before hugging him.
The champion weightlifter, who competed in four straight Olympic Games, is in Paris as a member of the athletes commission of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), and was fresh off from watching the women's 59-kilogram event, which saw her former Tokyo Olympic teammate Elreen Ando lift 230 kg for a sixth place finish, before meeting Yulo, who was also fresh off a visit to Disneyland Paris with his girlfriend.
Over the weekend, Yulo clinched two Olympic gold medals in the men's floor exercise and vault, the most for any Filipino Olympian.