Filipino athletes Joanie Delgaco, Aira Villegas, and Samantha Kyle Catantan in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Mohd Rasfan, Fabrice Coffrini, Bertrand Guay, AFP

The president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) are pleased with the performances of Filipino athletes in the early stages of the Summer Games in Paris.

Though the Philippines has yet to win a medal in Paris, PSC chairman Richard Bachmann noted that they are off to “an excellent start.”

“This demonstrates how collective efforts from both government and private sectors enable our athletes to maintain great mental and physical readiness throughout the competition,” Bachmann said in a statement, Monday.

Top gymnast  Carlos Yulo qualified for the final of the individual all-around, floor exercise and vault in the men’s artistic gymnastics, while rower Joanie Delgaco remains in contention for a medal after making it to the quarterfinals of the women’s single sculls.

Meanwhile, fencer  Samantha Catantan showed remarkable heart in battling a knee injury and an early deficit to beat Brazil’s Mariana Pistoia in the round-of-64 in women’s foil, and gave world No. 2 Arianna Errigo a scare before losing in the round-of-32.

On Sunday, Filipina gymnasts Levi Jung-Ruivivar, Emma Malabuyo, and Aleah Finnegan ended a 60-year drought for the Philippines in the women’s artistic gymnastics competition in the Olympics.

“It’s incredibly fulfilling to me, as a fan, witnessing our Olympians excel and raise the bar. Their overall showing in every battle, win or lose, continues to elevate the success of Philippine Sports,” said Bachmann, who watched as Aira Villegas’ secured a unanimous win over Morocco’s Yasmine Mouttaki to advance to the round-of-16 in the women’s 50kg division in boxing.

POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who is overseeing the campaign, remains in high spirits even after four of the 22 Filipino Olympians bowed out of medal contention.

“After some eliminations, our athletes are starting to rise,” he said in a separate statement.

“We have to note that during the qualifying rounds all athletes are giving their best in order to secure their spots in the next round,” Tolentino also said.

More Filipino athletes will join the fight on Tuesday, with Delgaco competing in the quarterfinals while boxers Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Marcial open their campaigns. Also in action is Kiyomi Watanabe in the round-of-32 of judo, and Kayla Sanchez in the women’s 100m freestyle.