Olympics Philippine History
This is how the Olympics Philippine History started. The current Olympic participants are more than 200 countries and are held every 4 years. The 1896 Olympics is the first common modern Olympics that we know right now and it was held in Athens Greece on April 6, 1896.
From July 5 to July 27, 1924, the Philippines made history in the Olympics. For the first time, the Philippines joined the Olympics with only 1 sport and with only 1 athlete representative. The first Filipino athlete who joined the Olympics was David Nepumuceno which is a track and field athlete. This Olympics was held in Paris, France.
August 12, 1928 Olympics
July 28 – August 12, 1928, in Amsterdam, Netherlands the Philippines joined again for the 2nd time but this time with 4 athletes and 2 sports. Simeon Toribio is the first Filipino Olympian who represent the Philippines in the High Jump while Tuburan Tamse and Teofilo Yldefonso are the first 2 Filipino swimmers who were qualified for the Olympics. Tuburan Tamse is the first Filipino Muslim who participated in the Olympics while Teofilo Yldefonso is the first Filipino Bronze Medalist.
1932 Olympics
Was held in Los Angeles, California USA from July 30 – August 14, 1932. The Philippines has 8 representatives in the 3 sports categories. This year also, the Philippines sent 4 representatives of the first batch of Filipino boxer athletes. These are John Gray, Jose Villanueva, Jose Padilla, and Carlos Padilla who are relatives of the action star Robin Padilla in the boxing sport. The 1932 Olympics is the most successful Olympics from the start when the Philippines participate in the Olympics. The Philippines brings home 3 Bronze Medals, Jose Villanueva for the Boxing, Simeon Toribio on his 2nd attempt in the Olympics which bring home the Bronze Medal (High Jump), and the first Filipino received 2 medals in the Olympic Teofilo Yldefonso (Swimming).
1936 Olympics
Was held in Berlin, Germany from August 1 – 16, 1936. The Philippines sent 28 representatives in 6 sports categories. The 1936 Olympics in Germany is one of the most controversial Olympics in history because it was labeled by the NAZI (National Socialize of German Olympics) under the dictator leadership of Adolf Hitler who controlled Germany from 1933 to 1945. The 1936 Olympics is the Olympics where the Philippines has a representative in Wrestling and Shooting. Martin Gison and Otoniel Gonzaga are the 1st Filipinos to represent the Philippines while the first Basketball team of the Philippines Ranked #5 in the Olympics overall. Miguel White won the bronze medal in 400 meters hurdle (Men Category).
1940 and 1944 Olympics
The 1940 and 1944 Olympics were canceled because of the war happening in Japan and in China. The Philippines is one of those countries that really affected by this war. 1946 the Philippines become free when the United States of America give to the Philippines their own freedom to handle its own.
1948 Olympics
Was held in London, the UK from July 29 – August 14, 1948. The Philippines has 26 participants in 8 sports categories. In this Olympics, the first Filipino Olympian who was qualified in weightlifting is Rodrigo Del Rosario ranked #5.
1952 Olympics
Was held in Helsinki, Finland from July 19 – August 3, 1952. The Philippines has 25 delegates in 7 sports categories. In this Olympics, the Basketball team of the Philippines ranked #9.
1956 Olympics
Was held in Melbourne, Australia from June 10 – December 8, 1956. The Philippines has 39 delegates in 7 sports categories. This Olympics also announced and introduce the White Austria policy. With this policy, some countries have doubts and worry especially those countries in Asia. Despite the policy and discrimination, the Philippines sent our delegates to participate in this Olympics. It was also a historical Olympics for the Philippines because, for the first time, there are Filipina athletes who were qualified for swimming and running. Manolita Cinco and Gertrudes Lozada (Swimming) and for running Jocelyn Von Giese (Sprint) and Francisca Sanapol (80 Meters hurdle).
1960 Olympics
Was held in Rome, Italy from August 25- September 11, 1960. The Philippines has 40 representatives in 7 sports categories. The basketball team of the Philippines ranked #11. While the first time for the Philippines to have a representative in the Sailing competition.
1964 Olympics
Was held in Tokyo, Japan from October 10 – 24, 1964. The Philippines has 47 representatives in 10 sports categories. This is the first time as well that the Philippines qualified for the Judo, Gymnastics, and Cycling competition. In the 1964 Olympics Philippines won the 1st silver medal when Anthony Villanueva won the silver medal in boxing (men’s Featherweight) which was the son of Jose Villanueva who won the bronze medal in boxing in 1932. They are the only Filipino father and son athletes who bring home a medal for the Philippines.
1968 Olympics
Was held at Grenoble, France from February 6 – 18, 1968. The Philippines has 49 representatives in 10 sports categories. This Olympics where the Philippines participated in the cycling competition. The first Filipinos who represent the Philippines in cycling are Roberto Roxas, Rolando Guaves, and Benjamin Evangelista. Although they failed to bring any medals for this competition but still, they are some of the bests cyclists in Asia.
1972 Olympics
Was held in Munich, Bavaria, West Germany from August 26 – September 11, 1972. The Philippines has 53 representatives in 11 sports categories. This is the biggest delegates and historic for the Philippines when we start participating in the Olympics. In Munich, Bavaria, West Germany Olympics, Salvador Del Rosario finished ranked #9 in weightlifting and he is the nephew of Rodrigo Del Rosario who is the first Filipino weightlifter of the Philippines to participate in the Olympics. While 15th was placed in Basketball while the first time the Philippines participated in Archery.
1976 Olympics
Was held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada from July 17 – August 1, 1976. The Philippines has 14 participants in 6 sports categories. A notable Olympics as well for this year’s 1976 Olympics because the son of Diosdado Macapagal participated for the 2nd time around in the 50 meters pistol competition Arturo Macapagal.
1980 Olympics
The 1980 Olympics, is the most controversial Olympics in History after it was boycotted by the 66 countries because the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics), and with this, the Philippines did not participate in the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, Soviet Union.
1984 Olympics
Consider 1 of the notable Olympics for the Philippines as well. When Elma Muros (Long Jump) and Lydia De Vega (Women’s 100/220 meters run) were the fastest runners in Asia. The 1984 Olympics also is the first time where the Philippines joined the Tennis sport the Olympics.
1988 Olympics
The 1988 Olympics was held in Seoul, South Korea from September 17- October 2, 1988. The Philippines has 31 participants in 11 sports categories. The year where the Philippines has participated in Fencing, they have also called demonstration sports wherein, it is not an official game for the Olympics but some the Filipinos participate in these sports and the Taekwondo and Bowling. Manuel “Monsor” Del Rosario and Stephen Fernandez are the Filipinos who participated in the taekwondo demonstration sport.
If in 1988, the bowling sport is already credited then we already get our first gold because Arianne Cerdena won the Gold Medal for the demonstration sport. It is also the first time in 64 years that the National Anthem of the Philippines was heard in the Olympics. While Leopoldo Serantes official won the bronze medal in boxing.
1992 Olympics
The 1992 Olympics was held in Albertville, France from February 8 – 23, 1992. The Philippines has 26 participants in 9 sports categories. Roel Velasco won the bronze medal in boxing (men) for the same first time as the Philippines who participated in the Equestrian and participated by Denise Yabut.
1996 Olympics
The 1996 Olympics was held in Atlanta, Georgia, the United States from July 19 – August 4, 1996. The Philippines has 12 participants in 6 sports categories. It is the first time the Philippines has seen the Badminton sport who was participated by Amparo Lim at the same time victory of Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco won the silver medal in boxing (men) which is a controversial decision by the judges. Onyok Velasco is the brother of Roel Velasco who won also the bronze medal in boxing in 1992 (men). The victory of Onyok Velasco brings the 2nd silver to the Philippines. Winning in the Olympics is the way for Onyok into the showbiz industry.
2000 Olympics
Was held in Sydney, Australia from September 15 – October 1, 2000. The Philippines has 20 participants in 9 sports categories. The first time the Philippines participates the rowing and Benjamin Tolentino the Philippines representative finished ranked #18.
2004 Olympics
2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. The representative of the Philippines Mary Antonette Rivero in Taekwondo ranked #7 (women) while Donald Geisler participated as well in Taekwondo (men).
2008 Olympics
2008 Olympics Philippine history won another gold but it is called representation only, meaning it is not an official sport in the Olympics same with bowling and billiards. The 2008 Olympics was held in Beijing, China. Willy Wang won the gold medal for the Philippines for Wushu Taolu. Even though Hidilyn Diaz did win in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.
2016 Olympics
In 2016 Hidilyn Diaz bring home the silver medal for the Philippines in weightlifting (women) which is another victory for the Philippines and the country celebrates it. The 2016 Olympics was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
2021 Olympics
The current Olympics 2020 which is moved to 2021 due to the pandemic was held in Tokyo, Japan last July 22 – August 8, 2021, and the Philippines has 19 participants in 11 sports categories. 2021 Olympics is the most victorious fight for the Philippine athletes wherein the Philippines team won 4 medals, 3 bronze, and 1 Gold medal. Finally, the Philippines got a gold medal in Olympics.
For the first time in the Olympics Philippine history in boxing, Nesthy Petecio is the first Filipina who won a silver medal in boxing (women), Eumir Marcial won the bronze medal in boxing (men middleweight), a silver medal for Carlo Paalam in boxing (men flyweight boxing), and finally the Philippines has a gold medal because of the strength and dedication of the Filipina athlete from Zamboanga City, Hidilyn Diaz in weightlifting. Hidilyn Diaz is the first Filipina athlete who bring the gold for the Philippines and the 2nd athlete who won 2 medals in the Olympics Philippine history summary after 97 years of participating in the Olympics.
The Philippines right now has a total medal of 14 medals with 8 bronzes, 5 silver, and 1 gold. Thank you to these brave athletes who fight and bring the Philippine flag.
Video to Watch about the Olympics Philippine History.