Handa na ang pamahalaan sa pagsalubong sa mga atletang nagwagayway ng watawat ng Pilipinas sa ginanap na 2024 Paris Olympics.
Sa press briefing sa Malacañang sinabi ni Presidential Protocol Chief Reichel Quiñones na alas-6 ng gabi bukas (August 13), lalapag sa Villamor Airbase ang mga ito kung saan sasalubungin sila ng kanilang pamilya.
“Each athlete was allowed to invite up to four members either from their family, close ones, et cetera, we left that entirely up to them. So, whoever is part of that welcome is who the athletes want to be there.” —Quiñones
Matapos nito, di-diretso ang mga atleta sa Malacañang kung saan tatanggapin sila ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.
Mayroong inihandang programa sa Palasyo kung saan gagawaran ng parangal ang mga ito, na susundan ng dinner reception.
Sa Miyerkules naman (August 14), magkakaroon ng motorcade para sa mga atleta, na magsisimula sa Aliw Theatre at magtatapos sa Rizal Sports Complex, kung saan mayroon ring maikling programa ang inihanda para sa mga ito upang makita sila ng publiko.
“For the motorcade or the parade, it will be a 7.7-kilometer-long parade that will start from Aliw Theater; and then left turn to Roxas Boulevard; and then right turn to P. Burgos; until it straight ahead to Finance Road; until it reaches Taft Avenue; then right turn to Quirino Avenue up to Adriatico Street; and it will end up at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.” —PCO Asec Dale de Vera.
Sabi ng opisyal, magiging simple ngunit makabuluhan ang heroes welcome na inihanda ng pamahalaan para sa mga atleta.
“I think from the organized committee is that they want it to be heroes welcome and it’s very much focused on them and what they done to honor the nation. There will be an awarding ceremony at the Palace to confer certain awards that the President has the rights to give – so, for example, there will be presidential citations for the athletes and I think, for Mr. Yulo a special award.” —Quiñones. | ulat ni Racquel Bayan