Two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos “Caloy” Yulo visited the Philippine Senate on Tuesday, where he met with Sen. Bam Aquino and discussed ways to improve support for Filipino athletes and coaches.
Aquino personally congratulated Yulo on his performance at the 20th Asian Games and presented him with a copy of Senate Resolution No. 689, filed Sept. 30, recognizing his two gold medals for the Philippines.
Yulo was accompanied by his assistant coach, Josh Garcia.
Beyond Yulo’s achievements, Aquino said their discussion focused on the needs of athletes, including early training, coaching development, physical therapy and mental health support.
Aquino said former athletes should be given more opportunities to become coaches and pass their knowledge and experience to younger athletes. He also emphasized the need to invest in the training and development of coaches.
The senator said there is also a shortage of physical therapists supporting Filipino athletes and stressed the importance of mental health services, particularly in sports such as gymnastics where mental preparation plays a major role.
“Marami tayong world-class Filipino athletes. Ang hamon sa atin ay bumuo ng sistemang susuporta sa kanila mula sa unang training, habang nakikipaglaban para sa bansa, hanggang sa susunod na yugto ng kanilang career,” Aquino said in a statement.
He said he plans to file legislation aimed at strengthening support for Filipino athletes and coaches. Aquino added that he would continue consulting athletes and coaches to ensure that proposed solutions reflect their actual experiences and needs.
Yulo’s visit came as Aquino also highlighted the Philippines’ performance at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
The Philippines sent a 447-member delegation and won four gold, nine silver and 16 bronze medals, for a total of 29 medals. Aquino said the haul was the country’s biggest in six decades, although it remained below the 42 medals won at the 1966 Asian Games in Thailand.
Senate Resolution No. 702 was filed to recognize the Filipino athletes, coaches, trainers and support staff who contributed to the delegation’s performance.
The senator called for stronger grassroots sports programs, improved facilities and coaching programs, and sustained support for athletes from training through international competition.
Yulo won two gold medals for the Philippines at the 2024 Paris Olympics, becoming the first Filipino male athlete to win an Olympic gold medal and the first Filipino to win two golds at a single Games.
His latest Asian Games performance has added to his growing list of international achievements and renewed calls for stronger long-term support for Filipino athletes.
