Carlos Yulo to skip SEA Games over rules limiting potential medal haul

The Philippines’ two-time Olympic gold medalist gymnast Carlos Yulo has decided to skip the SEA Games in Thailand in December following new rules that will limit his potential medal haul.

“I had (a) conversation with Carlos yesterday about the SEA Games in Thailand, and he decided that he will not join,” Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion said in a text message on Oct 18 to the news site One Sports.

According to earlier Philippine media reports, Games host Thailand has introduced a rule that limits gymnasts like Yulo to just one apparatus.

“They’re giving only one apparatus. He cannot compete in all because they’re very smart… If they give Carlos all, he’s going to win it all,” Ms Carrion told ABS-CBN News on Oct 17.

Yulo won two Olympic gold medals – in the floor exercise and vault events – at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

It was a historic win that added to the first gold medal that the Philippines – after a 97-year wait – clinched at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, courtesy of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz.

Yulo was favoured to win in all of his events at the upcoming SEA Games, potentially netting him at least six gold medals.

Recent rules changes implemented by host countries, however, had reduced his medal count.

He won five gold medals in the 2021 SEA Games in Vietnam, but was limited to just two in the 2023 Games in Cambodia over a rules change limiting gymnasts to participate in only two events.

This time in Thailand, he can win only one medal.

Ms Carrion said Yulo also decided to skip the SEA Games and focus instead on the Artistic Gymnastics World Championship in Indonesia in October to give other Filipino gymnasts, including his brother Eldrew and sister Elaiza, an opportunity to shine.

“Carlos wants to give chances for his (teammates) to win... Him being there will remove the chances for his teammates to win,” said Ms Carrion.