Olympic double gold medalist Carlos Yulo at his new apartment (left) and at his hero's reception hosted by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (right). MEGAWORLD/PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo received a fully furnished apartment worth P32 million (Dh2 million) and P20 million (Dh1.3 million) in cash for winning two gold medals in the recent Paris Olympics. Real estate company Megaworld upgraded its gift to Yulo to a three-bedroom apartment instead of a two-bedroom apartment following his historic double gold-medal finish at the Olympics. The apartment is located in McKinley Hill in Taguig City. The company also pledged a "special cash bonus" of P3 million (Dh193,494) to Yulo for becoming the first Filipino athlete to win two Olympic gold medals. On Tuesday (August 13), Yulo flew to a hero’s welcome in the Philippines. He received P20 million (Dh1.3 million) from the Philippine Government and also the Presidential Medal of Merit at a special awarding ceremony at the presidential palace. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr handed Yulo the token cheque as well as his medal. The 24-year-old Yulo’s wins in the men’s floor exercise and vault were the largest victory ever by a Filipino athlete since the Philippines joined the Olympics a century ago. His victories spurred pledges of cash and gifts by government offices, business tycoons, corporations and companies that offered free food for life, airline flights and even a resort house. At his hero’s welcome on Tuesday, Yulo thanked everyone who supported Philippine athletes in the Olympics. “I am beyond blessed and grateful,” Yulo told reporters. ICA/Expat Media
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