Skier Tallulah Proulx puts full trust in new generation of Filipina athletes

MANILA, Philippines – Tallulah Proulx made history at just 17, representing the Philippines in the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy last February.

She became the first female from the country to compete in the Winter Games, and the youngest athlete from Southeast Asia in this year’s edition. Proulx placed 52nd out of 76 competitors in the women’s giant slalom and 50th out of 95 participants in the women’s slalom.

By reaching the Olympics at such a young age, Proulx has positioned herself as one of the country’s athletes to watch out for in the coming years, especially as most of the medalists in her events are in their 30s.

Proulx believes the next generation of Filipina athletes can make their mark on the global stage, much like those who came before them, including Olympic weightlifting gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz and Olympic boxing silver medalist Nesthy Petecio.

“I think it really shows how capable and driven we Filipinos are,” Proulx said during the Philippine Sports Commission All Women in Sports Awards, where she received a special citation for representing the country in the Winter Games.

“We really have great aspirations,” she added, referring to Diaz, Petecio, and other rising Filipina athletes. “It shows that if you have the courage to believe in yourself and in your dream of becoming one of the top athletes, you can do it.”

Proulx is among the newest Filipina athletes to make waves internationally, joining a growing list of young standouts that include tennis sensation Alex Eala, who, at just 20, has become one of the sport’s brightest stars.

The Philippine women’s national football team, which has welcomed a new crop of players, has also sustained its rise by securing its second straight FIFA Women’s World Cup berth.

Across different sports, the country continues to produce promising talents, including triathlete Kira Ellis, taekwondo champion Tachiana Mangin, weightlifter Jhodie Peralta, and track athlete Naomi Cesar.

Mainstream sports, such as basketball and volleyball, have likewise seen a youth movement, highlighted by collegiate stars like UAAP basketball MVP Kacey dela Rosa, and volleyball standouts Angel Canino and Shaina Nitura.

For Proulx, seeing fellow Filipina athletes has been a source of inspiration, especially in sports that often receive less attention.

“I’m definitely inspired [despite being] somewhat new to this,” she said. “Meeting these athletes and sharing experiences with them has been one of the highlights of my trip to the Philippines.”

“Being able to connect with them and be inspired by their journeys means a lot.”

Raised and trained primarily in Utah in the United States, Proulx chose to represent the Philippines, tracing her roots to Eastern Samar through her father.

She was joined in the Winter Games by Italy-based skier Francis Ceccarelli. Their participation marked the Philippines’ seventh appearance at the Winter Olympics since 1972, and the country’s fourth consecutive stint beginning in 2014 in Sochi.

After a brief break following the Olympics, Proulx will turn her attention to two more competitions to close out her season.

By then, she carries with her a clear mission: to continue raising the Philippine flag alongside fellow Filipina athletes and inspire the next generation now looking up to her.

“Hopefully, I can be an inspiration for others,” she said. “I’m now in the proper mindset. Here, everyone shares the same love for sports.” – Rappler.com