More rewards for Carlos Yulo: Mac & cheese, ramen – and colonoscopies?
Photo from c_edrielzxs/Instagram;FILE PHOTO
The 2024 Paris Olympic gold medalists get many perks besides prize money – and Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo, who won two gold medals for the Philippines, has the longest list of unusual prizes.
His prizes might be the quirkiest in sports history, and they’re as diverse as Yulo’s gymnastic routines that led to his victory and earned him gold medals.
At 24, Yulo has become the only athlete to surpass the 15-point mark in the men’s floor event, according to the New York Post.
As the first Filipino male Olympic gold medalist, his medal-biting moment unleashed an outpouring of prizes back home.
His prizes include two fully furnished condos in upscale Taguig — each valued at P24 million (approximately $415,000).
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In addition, the Philippine government is giving him P10 million ($173,000) as mandated by Republic Act 10699, which grants benefits and incentives to national athletes who win in major international competitions.
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Yulo’s prizes beyond the gold medals
The list of Yulo’s prizes doesn’t end with cash and real estate. He is also getting a lifetime of freebies and some unusual perks.
- A department store voucher worth approximately $20,000
- Unlimited meals at the local buffet chain Vikings
- Lifetime supplies of chicken inasal (grilled chicken), baked mac and cheese, ramen, cookies and Korean fried chicken from various restaurants and local businesses
- Engineering designs for life
- $17, 500 worth of home furniture from a local Home Depot
- 2 business franchises: coffee and lemon kiosks
- $34,900 worth of vacation package from a local travel content creator
- Free colonoscopies and gastroenterology consultations after he turns 45
This outpouring of incentives from private sponsors has caught the attention of international media, including the New York Post, which described Yulo’s perks as “ridiculous.”
Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo gets ridiculous list of rewards for winning two Olympic golds https://t.co/pQSrbTwus2 pic.twitter.com/LzZjKfTduh
— New York Post (@nypost) August 6, 2024
Netizens were also quick to chime in. One commenter, Justin Hughes, quipped, “Going to need the colonoscopies after the lifetime supply of cookies and ramen.”
As the country continues to celebrate Yulo’s victory, restaurants jumped on the hype train, offering free meals and milkshakes to everyone whose first name is Carlos or Caloy (his nickname) or Edriel (his middle name).
Yulo’s Olympic success, which tripled the Philippines’ gold medal following weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz’s win in 2020, has become a source of great pride for Filipinos. It has sparked joyful celebrations and intense admiration for Yulo, showing that the Philippines knows how to reward its champions, quirks and all.
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