By MARK REY MONTEJO
Olympic-bound boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam were selected as the country’s flag-bearers for the upcoming 2024 Summer Games in Paris, France, the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) announced Monday, June 17.
Petecio and Paalam, who both won silver medals in their respective categories in the 2020 Tokyo edition, were chosen by the POC after initial choice Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo, who delivered the first-ever Olympic gold medal, failed to qualify for the Games.
The opening ceremony is set on July 26.
Petecio will try to improve her silver medal finish when she competes anew in women’s featherweight, so does Paalam who will battle in men’s featherweight.
The two boxers are joining hands with Tokyo teammates Eumir Marcial (men’s middleweight), and Olympic debutants Hergie Bacyadan (women’s middleweight) and Aira Villegas (women’s flyweight).
Up to this moment, the Philippines already have 15 qualified athletes in the likes of pole vaulter EJ Obiena, weightlifters Elreen Ando, John Ceniza, Vanessa Sarno; gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, Levi Jung-Ruivivar, Emma Malabuyo; fencer Sam Catantan; and rower Joanie Delgaco.
Others hopefuls are still vying for a coveted Paris berth including judoka Kiyomi Watanabe and track stars John Cabang Tolentino, Lauren Hoffman, Kristina Knott, Robyn Brown, Janry Ubas, and Eric Cray.
