MANILA—President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. held a special ceremony on Thursday to honor Filipino athletes who represented the country in the 2024 Paris Olympics but missed the previous heroes’ welcome. The athletes, including golfer Dottie Ardina and gymnasts Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo, and Levi Jung-Ruivivar, were recognized during a meet-and-greet at Malacañang.
According to Philippines News Agency, President Marcos explained that the second ceremony was organized to ensure that all Olympians received their due recognition, as some were unable to attend the initial event on August 13 due to prior commitments and a communication mix-up. The President expressed his gratitude to the athletes for their dedication, noting that their sacrifices were equally deserving of acknowledgment.
The athletes will each receive PHP2 million from the Office of the President and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation. President Marcos also took the opportunity to personally interact with the athletes and their families during the ceremony.
On August 13, 17 members of the 22-strong Philippine Team returned to Manila and were celebrated with a heroes’ welcome and a parade through the streets of Manila, marking the country’s best performance in the Olympics.