Philippines marks 100 years of Olympic participation

The Philippines is celebrating its 100th year of participation in the Olympics, marking its centennial anniversary since its first appearance in the 1924 Paris Games.

Swimmer Teofilo Yldefonso earned the country's first Olympic medal, a bronze, in the 1928 Amsterdam Games, followed by another bronze in the 1932 Los Angeles Games, and later finished seventh in the 1936 Berlin Games.

A lieutenant in the Philippine Scouts of the US Army, Yldefonso was captured by Japanese forces during World War II, survived the Bataan Death March, but died in captivity in Capas at age 38.

Boxer Anthony Villanueva secured the Philippines' first silver medal from the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

Hidilyn Diaz achieved the nation's first Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, an event held in 2021.

For the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Philippines has sent a delegation of 22 athletes.