Philippines' gymnast Carlos Yulo credits God for winning two golds at Paris Olympic Games

Carlos Yulo proudly waved his second gold medal, thumped his chest, and pointed his finger upwards while mouthing "All God, all God" after topping the vault final of the 2024 Paris Olympics men’s artistic gymnastics on Sunday night (Philippine time).

The 24-year-old Catholic gymnast bested seven other competitors in the vault finals, making history as the first Filipino athlete to win two gold medals in a single Olympic Games.

Yulo's first gold came from the floor exercise on Saturday night, barely 24 hours before his triumphant performance in the vault finals.

Under the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) awards P10 million for each Olympic gold medal. With his second gold medal, Yulo is set to receive a total of P20 million from the PSC.

As of Monday, Yulo's cash incentives had accumulated to a guaranteed P32 million—P26 million from the government and P6 million from private companies.

In a statement, Megaworld announced that it would reward Yulo with a three-bedroom unit in a premier residential property in Manila. Initially, the real estate company had pledged a P24-million two-bedroom condominium unit for his first gold medal. However, after Yulo's second victory, Megaworld upgraded the reward to a P32-million fully furnished three-bedroom unit.

Additionally, Megaworld committed a special cash bonus of P3 million in recognition of Yulo's historic achievement.

Yulo will also receive a Medal of Valor from the PSC for his exceptional performance at the Paris Olympic Games.

Restaurant chains, including Vikings, JT's Manukan, Ramen Bar, Mang Inasal, Tipsy Pig, BOK Korean Fried Chicken, Bacsilog, and Hagame Sushi, have pledged lifetime meals for the Olympic champion.

"I was just hoping to perform well," Yulo told BBC News on Monday. "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. I was so hyped because I had won that gold medal [the day before]."

"God is really great, he so blesses me, and I'm well-protected and guided," Yulo shared in an interview with ABS-CBN News.

In a report by Rappler on August 4, the National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio in Batangas praised Yulo as a "proud Catholic" and "an example of a faithful servant who always returns his glory to God."