CARRYING the Philippine flag, Carlos Yulo gave glory and pride to the country by winning two gold medals in men’s artistic gymnastics at the 2024 Paris Olympics, dominating both the floor exercise and the vault. 

Photo Courtesy: International Gymnastics Federation | Facebook

Filipino netizens back home immediately applauded Yulo’s achievement of becoming the country’s first-ever double Olympic gold winner. However, the discussion didn’t end there. 

After the Filipino star gymnast won two gold medals at the Paris Games, social media users addressed an underlying issue that current Olympic athletes continue to face: support.

They need support too

Sports fans and former athletes understand how difficult it is to come out alive in every game. It is the unseen hours that athletes devote to producing a performance that everyone sees when the lights are turned on. 

However, not all performances are appreciated by everyone, whether they be wins or losses. Some individuals may even go so far as to claim that a bronze medal is insufficient reason to be proud of an athlete. 

Nonetheless, these athletes sacrifice their blood, sweat, and tears to bring glory and pride to the Philippines, despite the ongoing lack of support for their particular sports. Keeping them out of the limelight they deserve.

Photo Courtesy: @hidilyndiaz | Instagram

It is worth noting that the first-ever Olympic gold medalist, Hidilyn Diaz, expressed her need for support in 2019, stating that she is having difficulty financially sustaining her dream of winning the gold medal.

“Hirap na hirap na ako I need financial support,” Diaz wrote on her Instagram story, who was then preparing for the World Weightlifting Championship, a qualifying competition for the Tokyo Games.

“Sa tingin niyo okay lang kaya, nahihiya kasi ako pero try ko kapalan ang mukha ko para sa minimithi kong pangarap para sa ating bansa na maiuwi ang gold medal sa Olympics.”

This resurfaced online when Yulo won his own gold medals, prompting many comparisons from netizens as to why Filipinos, particularly the organizations that support these athletes, choose to support basketball more over them.

Basketball is life?

The Philippines is well-known for its basketball culture. Ironically, the national basketball team is still trying to qualify for the greatest level of play, the Olympics. 

Some netizens even went so far as to compare the community’s support for basketball teams, particularly, Gilas Pilipinas, in prior international competitions. 

Gilas Pilipinas astonished the world by defeating world No. 6 Latvia and coming close to winning games against Georgia and Brazil, all basketball powerhouses.

Photo Courtesy: FIBA

Gilas Pilipinas made significant progress under Tim Cone’s system, but they fell just short of their Olympic aspirations. Nonetheless, they are still lauded by all Filipinos, even though they continue to fall short year after year. 

However, it is fair to say that the Gilas Pilipinas have done their part. They have won 19 of 22 Southeast Asian Games gold medals, including the 61-year-ending gold in the 2023 Asian Games. 

Despite this, netizens continue to scream for more support for all other athletes. Saying that basketball isn’t the only sport in the country, and the others also require their support.

Netizens react

Several netizens responded to the conversation with varying opinions. Some netizens express sympathy by calling out the government and private companies, while others protect them.

“Kung kaya magpatayo ng court dapat kaya din magpatayo ng gymnasium for other sports na may chance na magka-gold sa Olympics,” says one netizen, highlighting the lack of facilities for other sports.

“Tama na yang basketball di na tayo gagaling dyan, football, gymnast, weight lift, fencing, swimming, pole vault, bowling and many more rather than basketball,” the netizen continued.

In defense of the Gilas Pilipinas, a netizen aired out his opinion regarding the matter. Saying that basketball is indeed the main sport of the country, and it is hard to ignore the fact that it brings revenue to the table.

“Hindi madaling tanggalin sa katawan at utak ng Pinoy ang kahiligan sa basketball. Tama lang na bigyang pansin at suporta ang ibang sports at mga atleta natin pero wag din naman sana bawian ng suporta ang pambansang paboritong laro.”

We’re all athletes

Despite the brewing conversation, it is fair to say that every athlete, no matter what sports they’re in, are all representing the country. It is only right to ask for more support for the others, but not to an extent of pulling the other one down.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos even stated that he would personally seek Yulo’s advice on how to properly improve the country’s sporting status and maybe bring home additional gold medals in the coming years. 

The Filipino community must band together and continue to demand the appropriate amount of financial assistance for these athletes in order for them to train effectively and prepare for their desired outcome for the country.

At the end of the day, all Filipino athletes have the same goal: to bring pride and glory to their nation and to show the world that Filipinos are a force to be reckoned with in sports.