A grand welcome awaits 2024 Paris Olympics two-time gold medalist Carlos Yulo and other outstanding Filipino Olympians in Malacañan on Tuesday, Aug. 13.

Yulo and the other Olympians will arrive at the Villamor Airbase on late Tuesday afternoon where they will be welcomed back into the country by their families. According to Chief of Presidential Protocol Reichel Quiñones, only the athletes' families will be greeting them at Villamor Airbase as President Marcos wanted it to be a "private event."

The Filipino Olympians will then proceed to Malacañan, where President Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos are waiting to welcome and congratulate them for their success in the Paris games. They will then proceed to Malacañan's ceremonial hall for an awarding ceremony and a dinner reception.

In a presser, Quiñones said President Marcos will personally honor the athletes and present them with their well-deserved incentives in recognition of their extraordinary contributions to Philippine sports and their stellar performance in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

"There will be an awarding ceremony at the Palace to confer certain awards that the President has the right to give. For example, there will be Presidential Citations for all the athletes and, for Mr. Yulo a special award, the Presidential Medal of Merit," she said.

"The Presidential Citations given to Ms. Villegas and Ms. Petecio specifically mention that they're receiving them for their bronze medals," she added.

According to Communications Assistant Secretary Dale de Vera, President Marcos will be announcing the cash incentives upon the welcome honors for the Olympians.

"It's separate from what is mandated by the law," he said.

Yulo won two gold medals in the Men's Artistic Gymnastics Floor and Vault events. His double victory in Paris came three years after Hidilyn Diaz brought home the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The Philippines also earned two bronze medals in the 2024 Paris Olympics courtesy of boxers Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio.

'Simple but meaningful'

According to Quiñones, the events planned for the Filipino Olympians will be simple but meaningful.

"The peg for it was we wanted it to be a heroes' welcome. It's very much focused on them and what they've done to honor the nation," she said.

The following day, the athletes will be picked up from their places of accommodation and brought to Aliw Theater in Pasay City, the starting point of a 7.7-kilometer motorcade to the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex where a short program for them awaits.

The motorcade, which will start at 3 p.m. will pass through the following: Aliw Theater, Roxas Boulevard, P. Burgos Street, Finance Road, Taft Avenue, Quirino Avenue, and Adriatico Street, before arriving at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Quiñones said the motorcade, which was supposed to take place on Tuesday, Aug. 13, was moved to the following day since the athletes would arrive in the country late in the afternoon.

Yulo family not invited?

Quiñones belied reports that Malacañang did not invite Carlos Yulo's family to the welcome ceremony at Villamor Airbase. She explained that the decision to invite people was left to the athletes.

"Each athlete was allowed to invite up to four members— either their family, close ones, etc. — we left that entirely up to them," she said.

"So whoever is part of that welcome is who the athletes want to be there," she added.

Quiñones was not able to disclose who were the Golden Boy's guests for the welcome ceremony.

Marcos and Yulo talk

In an interview on Aug. 7, Marcos told reporters that he would ask Yulo about what the government could do to increase the country's odds of getting more gold medals from the coveted sporting event.

He said the Golden Boy was the best person to ask for advice regarding the country's participation in the Olympics.

"Pagka nagkita kami itatanong ko sa kanya kung ano pa ang maitutulong ng pamahalaan para mas dumami ang ating mga medalists sa Olympics (When we meet, I will ask him what else can the government offer to our athletes so we can have more Olympic medals)," he told reporters.

"Nadaanan niya lahat 'yan (He's been through it all). He went to the Tokyo Olympics. He has now won his two gold medals in the Paris Olympics kaya't kung ano pa ang aming gagawin (so what else should the government do)," he added.

President Marcos emphasized his desire for Filipino athletes to bring home more medals.

"Ang interest ko dumami ang medalists kagaya niya. Anong kailangan gawin (My interest is in increasing our medal haul. What should we do)?" he asked.

"Do we have to change the organization? Does it need to be funded?" he added.