BEA Lucero, who won two gymnastics gold medals in the Jakarta Southeast Asian Games in 1987, was in the audience during Carlos Yulo's historic Paris Olympics campaign where the ultra-talented Filipino gymnast won two gold medals.
“It’s been amazing. He is amazing. I was there to cheer him on,” said Lucero, recalling the magical moment the Filipino star beat the world's best to give the country its best Olympic finish ever.
Lucero was also in the audience when the Philippine Sportswriters Association awarded Yulo the coveted Athlete of the Year honors during the association's star-studded 2024 Awards Night at the Manaila Hotel two weeks ago.
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Lucero was one of the honorees of the night, one of many Olympians cited by the PSA as the country celebrated its 100th year of Olympic participation.
Lucero represented the country in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, not as a gymnast but as a taekwondo athlete where she reached the semifinals and eventually lost to Aysegul Ergin of Turkey. Taekwondo was at that time a demonstration sport.
Still, her seamless transition from a gymnastics star to taekwondo expert was a unique sporting feat. Her SEA Games golds were in the all-around and the balance beam.
At the moment, Lucero said she devotes most her time to her family, in particular, taking care of her children.
“I have four children and that has kept me busy,” Lucero said during a brief chat with reporters during the awards night.
“I have a family, and so they’re my priority,” said Lucero, married to entrepreneur/ sportsman Jean Henri Lhuillier. “So I try to stay with them most of the time.”
'I'm proud of it'
Now 52, Lucero praised the PSA for honoring the Olympians which she said is a recognition of the hard work and the sacrifice the athletes devoted to reach their goals.
“I’m honored that we were recognized. I enjoyed my athletic career immensely. No regrets. I’m glad that I put in the hardwork, trained the way I trained. I’m proud of it,” said Lucero.
Outside the realm of sports, Lucero was also seen many times on TV when she became a commercial model, specifically promoting Milo. Lucero said the support that athletes get from private sponsors help them in their preparations and campaigns here and abroad.
“Milo has been part of my family for a long, long time. I did my first Milo commercial when I was 12 years old so it’s been 40 years,” said Lucero.
“Sports need sponsors definitely,” she added.
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