President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. recognized the participation of the 28 Filipino athletes who would compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics during his State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 22.

He urged Filipinos to support the 22 athletes and six para-athletes and wished them good luck for the upcoming Games.

The Summer Olympics will officially start on Friday, July 26, while the Paralympics will be held on Aug. 28

“We must harness the totality of the Filipino potential,” President Marcos said.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Bambol Tolentino thanked President Marcos for the recognition.

“Thank you, PBBM, for your kind wishes for the athletes at the Olympics,” said Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.

“It’s definitely inspiring and it’s an extreme boost to the morale not only to our athletes competing in Paris, but to the entire Philippine sports,” added Tolentino, who will fly to Paris on Tuesday, July 23, to oversee the country's campaign.

“This may be exaggerated but the President putting emphasis on sports in a very important event in his administration—something that’s never been done by past Presidents in memory— gives us the goose bumps,” added Tolentino, who, as POC head, personally suggested to Malacañang for President Marcos to include the sports agenda in his SONA.

“As we speak, 28 of our finest athletes are competing in Paris now for the glory of the Philippines,” said President Marcos, drawing appreciation through a rousing clap from his audience. “Let us wish them well and the best of luck.”

It’s not only the Paris Olympics campaign that was in President Marcos’ SONA, but also grassroots sports.

“Grassroots and sports of all programs are back, nailunsad na namin ang Palarong Pambansa after three years na pagkakatigil nito dahil sa pandemya,” he said. “Binabati natin ang Cebu at Marikina at ang Kagawaran ng Education para sa matagumpay na pagkakatanghal ng mga palarong ito.”

President Marcos added: “We will continue to support these health enhancing sports programs. Through these, we will also set forth our youth on the same well-established path taken by some of our national champions and renowned athletes to sporting greatness.”

President Marcos, too, noted the sports’ importance in tourism.

“The focus now is on experiential tourism—foods, heritage, culture, the arts, education, Halal, Islamic traditions, education, dive, cruise, farm and eco-tourism and even sports have now become potent subjects and products of the nation’s tourism,” he said.

“We are very grateful to the President for showing his love and concern for sports,” Tolentino said. “And we, at the POC and Philippine sports as a whole, continuously thank his Administration for relentlessly supporting sports through his financial support.”