Bizarre gifts Philippines gives Carlos Yulo for winning gold twice at Paris Olympics 2024
From free colonoscopies to a lifetime of ramen and mac and cheese, this is what Carlos Yulo has to look forward to after winning two gold medals.
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Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo is taking hometwo historic gold medals from the 2024 Paris Olympics and boy, is his country proud.
The 24-year-old will get 10 million pesos ($266,000) from the Philippines government and has been promised an additional 6 million pesos ($159,000) in cash incentives by the House of Representatives.
But in addition to the cash, local businesses have wanted to show their support, gifting the athlete a three-bedroom unit in Taguig City and a lifetime of free ramen, mac and cheese, and colonoscopies.
“Congratulations to our very own Golden Boy on clinching his second gold medal in men’s artistic gymnastics – vault!” a ramen bar in Calasiao wrote on social media.
“To celebrate your outstanding achievement, we are thrilled to extend a special gift: FREE LIFETIME RAMEN not just for you, but also for your wonderful and supportive girlfriend, Chloe Anjeleigh. Enjoy the taste of victory and love with every bowl!”
Yulo brings home the first medal of any colour for the Philippines in gymnastics and their second (and third) Olympic gold ever.
Hidilyn Diaz won the country’s first-ever gold medal for weightlifting at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
On Saturday, Yulo earned a 15.000 for the men’s floor exercise and won gold before earning a 15.116 average score on the vault on Sunday, securing a second gold medal.
“I was just hoping to perform well. I didn’t really expect a medal. It really felt like a bonus for me. It’s crazy, because last night I couldn’t sleep,” Yulo told reporters on Sunday.
He said he was “so hyped” from winning gold on the floor exercise.
“It still didn’t sink in. This morning I was so sleepy. I didn’t know what to do. But I did it today,” he said.
Philippines President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said “Filipinos all over the world stood united, cheering and rooting” for Yulo.
“No words can express how proud we are of you, Caloy. You have achieved GOLD for the Philippines not once, but twice!” he wrote on Facebook.
Nations competing at the Olympics offer different incentives for winning medals.
Australian athletes who medal at an Olympics can receive $20,000 for gold, $15,000 for silver and $10,000 for bronze under the Australian Olympic Committee’s medal incentive fund.
They are only eligible for one payment based on their best result – so for example an athlete who wins multiple golds will still just receive $20,000.
Meanwhile, athletes from Singapore get $1.13 million for winning gold, and athletes from Hong Kong get $1.17 million.
Originally published as Bizarre gifts Philippines gives Carlos Yulo for winning gold twice at Paris Olympics 2024