PH contingent celebrates 100 years of Olympic participation in Paris

A 22-member Philippine contingent is participating in the Paris Olympics, celebrating the country's centennial participation in the Summer Games.

Boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam served as flag-bearers, parading in boats along the Seine River during the opening ceremony, a historic first for the Olympics.

Gymnast Carlos Yulo and rower Joanie Delgaco will begin the Philippine campaign in Paris, with Yulo's men's artistic gymnastics qualification and Delgaco's women's single sculls heat scheduled for Sunday.

Fencer Samantha Catantan and women artistic gymnasts Aleah Finnegan, Levi Ruivivar, and Emma Malabuyo also competed on Sunday.

Other members of the Philippine team include pole vaulter EJ Obiena, boxers Aira Villegas, Hergie Bacyadan, and Eumir Marcial, weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, John Ceniza, and Elreen Ando, judoka Kiyomi Watanabe, golfers Dottie Ardina and Bianca Pagdanganan, hurdlers John Cabang Tolentino and Laura Hoffman, and swimmers Kayla Sanchez and Jarod Hatch.

Half of the Philippine delegation missed the opening ceremony due to ongoing training or preparation for competition.