It was Team USA and Simone Biles who illuminated the Paris Olympics gymnastics movements, yet it was Carlos Yulo who truly set the stage ablaze. With performances that left the audience breathless, Yulo not only secured a lifetime contract but also captured the world’s attention and admiration. Fans and critics are electrified by Yulo’s meteoric rise, while Biles reaffirmed her dominance, claiming silver in the floor exercise and a collection of medals in the team competition, all-around, vault, and floor events. One passionate fan on X declared, “Another gold for the Philippines! History is made again! Ang galing galing mo! [You are incredible!].”
Carlos Yulo’s ascent to Olympic glory is the stuff of legends. On August 3, he etched his name in history by winning the first-ever gold medal for the Philippines in the men’s floor final. But Yulo wasn’t done; the very next day, he soared to victory again, clinching gold in the vault final and becoming the first Filipino to achieve back-to-back Olympic golds. This unprecedented success brought Yulo not just medals but also lavish rewards, including a luxurious two-bedroom condo from Filipino real estate giant Megaworld, valued at an astounding $414,046 USD.
The drama and triumph of Yulo’s back-to-back victories at the Paris Olympics have ignited a tidal wave of celebration and accolades. His achievements have not only made him a national hero but have also solidified his status as an international sensation, transforming him into a beacon of hope and inspiration for aspiring athletes everywhere.
Carlos Yulo lands lifetime deal after Paris success
Recently, NBC Sports posted a picture of Carlos Yulo from the Paris Olympics on their X handle. The caption read, “Win TWO golds, get UNLIMITED cookies! 🍪 Carlos Yulo will also receive a free house, money, an iPhone 16, among other gifts, for making history and winning gold at the #ParisOlympics!” Yulo’s magnificent floor routine on Saturday earned him the gold medal, making him the first male from the Philippines to stand atop the podium. With his unprecedented triumph only a day past, the gymnast once more stood on the highest step after dominating the vault final on Sunday to claim yet another gold.
Win TWO golds, get UNLIMITED cookies! 🍪
Carlos Yulo will also receive a free house, money, an IPhone 16 amongst other gifts, for making history and winning gold at the #ParisOlympics! 🇵🇭
Full list of gifts:
https://t.co/s76jVMxBvV pic.twitter.com/knmPyxMtrD— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) August 5, 2024
In the aftermath of his initial success, Yulo had been assured by his country’s leaders that a grand new house would soon be his, a reward presented to all who could bring such great pride and honor to the Philippines with their excellence under pressure on the world’s biggest stage. Gymnasts who win Olympic medals often receive rewards from their governments. While the IOC doesn’t give out prize money, most countries pay their gymnasts for each medal. In the USA, gold medals earn $25,000, silver $15,000, and bronze $10,000.
In Tokyo, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee awarded $37,500 for each gold, $22,500 for each silver, and $15,000 for each bronze. These amounts vary by country, and not all countries award bonuses to medal winners. Based on these numbers, Biles will earn a $135,000 bonus for her three gold medals and one silver in Paris. Interestingly, Kazakhstan has some of the highest bonuses, despite being relatively poor. The USA and Australia, though wealthier, pay more modest amounts. Successful gymnasts can look forward to exciting financial rewards, especially in the US, mainly through endorsements and selling their ‘brand’ rather than a regular salary.
Carlos Yulo’s rewards are impressive. The government will give him a fully furnished two-bedroom condo worth 24 million Philippine pesos. The Philippine Sports Commission gave him over 10 million pesos, and the House of Representatives added three million pesos. In addition to the monetary rewards, Yulo will have lifetime access to colonoscopies and gastroenterology consultations starting at age 45. At 24, he was also granted 100,000 pesos worth of furnishings and food from local businesses.
He can enjoy unlimited cookies from Cookies By The Bucket, an iPhone 16, and lifetime supplies of ramen, mac and cheese, and grilled chicken from various restaurant chains. Nexa Engineering has pledged its services to Yulo for any needs, from intricate designs to simple repairs. Meanwhile, Manila, Yulo’s hometown, is preparing a “hero’s welcome” for him. Mayor Honey Lacuna said, “The grandest welcome will greet him and all our Paris Olympians. When we meet him, we will present Carlos Yulo with cash incentives, awards, and symbols of the eternal gratitude of the proud capital city of the Philippines.” Yulo has made history as the only Olympian from the Philippines to win multiple golds. Only time will tell what else he will achieve.
Philippine gymnast’s historic performance: An overnight success
The 24-year-old’s achievement was particularly impressive as he edged out defending champion Artem Dolgopyat of Israel, narrowly surpassing Dolgopyat’s 14.966 from the 2020 Olympics. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. praised him, saying, “No words can express how proud we are of you.” Just one day after winning gold in the floor exercise, Yulo claimed another gold on the vault with a score of 15.116. He finished ahead of Artur Davtyan, who earned Armenia’s first-ever Olympic gymnastics medal with a 14.966, and Harry Hepworth from Great Britain, who scored 14.949.
After finishing, Yulo said he was still feeling good from the night before and didn’t sleep much. He woke up tired and didn’t think he would do well. “I was just hoping to perform well, I did not really expect a medal”, he said to the NBC Olympics with a surprise. He further added that achieving the win meant to him as he felt like this was a bonus for him. It sounded really crazy to him, and he could not sleep thinking about bagging gold in the floor exercise. He even took a nap on the bus before going into the competition arena, saying, “I kind of like napping for like 15 to 20 minutes,” exaggerating that sleep may have worked for him.
This is the Philippines’ first gymnastics medal and only their third Olympic gold, following Hidilyn Diaz’s weightlifting victory in Tokyo. Carlos Yulo, who has faced recent struggles, including at the last Games, has now made history. He has had trouble being consistent and doing his best in the most important moments. For every success—including his first gold on the floor exercise at the 2019 Worlds—there have been disappointments. But what matters more than even is how the champion bounced back, stunned the audience and made his tiny island nation proud and relevant in global sporting arena at Paris.
