FACT CHECK: Video DOES NOT show Carlos Yulo’s performance

Viral Video Falsely Attributed to Carlos Yulo

A video circulating on social media purportedly showing Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo’s performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics has been debunked by fact-checkers. The 11-second clip, which features a male gymnast executing a series of somersaults and twists, has been shared widely on Facebook and TikTok, amassing millions of views. However, the footage actually depicts Azerbaijani gymnast Tofig Aliyev at a competition in Portugal, not Yulo at the Olympics.

The false claim gained traction after Yulo made history by winning two gold medals in Paris—first in the floor exercise and then in the vault—within 24 hours. Social media users, eager to celebrate his achievement, shared the clip believing it to be his routine. But the video’s background and the athlete’s attire did not match Yulo’s Olympic performance.

Origin of the Misleading Clip

Reverse image searches and keyword analysis traced the video back to the official TikTok account of European Gymnastics, which posted it on April 6, 2024. The clip shows Tofig Aliyev performing during the 2024 European Championships in Trampoline, Double Mini-Trampoline and Tumbling, held in Guimarães, Portugal, from April 3 to 7. Aliyev won a silver medal in the men’s individual tumbling event at that competition.

European Gymnastics also shared a similar video on its YouTube channel on April 12, 2024. The original posts clearly identified Aliyev and the event, but when the clip was reshared without context, it was misrepresented as Yulo’s Olympic routine. The athlete’s official account was even tagged in the Instagram version, further confirming his identity.

Why Tumbling Is Not an Olympic Event

A key giveaway that the video does not show Yulo is the nature of the routine itself. Tumbling—characterized by continuous flips, twists, and handsprings on a spring-loaded track—is not included in the Olympic gymnastics program. The Paris Olympics featured artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, and trampoline, but not tumbling. Therefore, any footage of a tumbling pass could not have been from the Games.

Yulo competed in artistic gymnastics, specifically in the floor exercise and vault. His routines involved elements like tumbling passes on a floor mat, but the specific event in the viral video is a standalone tumbling competition, which is governed by different rules and held in separate championships. This distinction is crucial in understanding why the clip is not from the Olympics.

Carlos Yulo’s Historic Olympic Victory

Carlos Yulo, 24, became the Philippines’ first double Olympic gold medalist after his victories in Paris. He scored 15.000 points in the floor exercise final on August 3 and averaged 15.116 points in the vault final on August 4. Before his triumph, the Philippines had only one Olympic gold medal, won by weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz in Tokyo 2020.

Yulo’s achievement sparked a wave of national pride and social media celebrations. Unfortunately, the excitement also led to the spread of misinformation, as users shared old footage mislabeled as his Olympic performance. The false video was uploaded on July 29 and 31—before Yulo even won his medals—indicating that it was recycled content from an earlier event.

How to Verify Sports Footage

To avoid falling for similar misinformation, it’s important to verify the source of any viral sports video. Here are some steps:

• Check the official broadcasters: Olympic performances are typically covered by rights-holding broadcasters and official Olympic channels.
• Reverse image search: Use tools like Google Images or TinEye to find the original source of the clip.
• Look for context clues: Background banners, athlete uniforms, and arena details can indicate the event and location.
• Cross-reference with reliable news: Fact-checking sites and reputable news outlets often debunk viral falsehoods.

In this case, the video’s background clearly showed “29th Trampoline European Competitions,” which does not align with the Olympics.

The Spread and Impact of the Misinformation

The false video was shared by multiple accounts on Facebook and TikTok, garnering over 6.7 million views and thousands of interactions. Comments on the posts included incorrect guesses about the athlete’s identity, with some suggesting he was Brazilian, Portuguese, or even Yulo’s younger brother, Eldrew. The rapid spread highlights the challenges of verifying content during major events when emotions run high.

Fact-checking organizations like AFP, Rappler, and VERA Files have all debunked the claim. Despite their efforts, the video continues to circulate, underscoring the need for media literacy and critical thinking when engaging with social media content.

Conclusion: Stay Vigilant Against Misinformation

The viral video claiming to show Carlos Yulo’s Olympic performance is a clear example of how old footage can be repurposed to spread false narratives. As Yulo’s historic wins continue to inspire, it’s essential to celebrate his achievements with accurate information. By verifying sources and relying on official channels, we can honor his legacy and combat the spread of misinformation.