Lydia de Vega passes away after battle with breast cancer

Philippine sports icon Lydia de Vega-Mercado passed away on Wednesday after her battle with breast cancer.

She was 57.

Her daughter, former volleyball player Stephanie Mercado de Koenigswarter, announced De Vega's passing.

"On behalf of our family, it is with absolute grief that I announce the death of my mother, Lydia De Vega this evening, August 10, 2022, at the Makati Medical Center," Stephanie wrote.

"She fought the very good fight and is now at peace."

De Vega was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018.

In perhaps what could be deemed as the biggest challenge of her life, the sprint queen's family recently asked for help in managing De Vega's treatments.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. tasked the Philippine Sports Commission to extend assistance for De Vega's treatment.

Other sports patrons, such as Chooks-to-Go, also extended help to De Vega's family.

Pole vaulter and Olympian EJ Obiena also pledged to help De Vega's family.

Her fellow sports legends such as Elma Muros-Posadas, Eugene Torre, and Paeng Nepomuceno also expressed support for De Vega during her battle with cancer.

De Vega was once called Asia's fastest woman and was a two-time gold medalist in the Asian Games. She was also a bemedalled athlete in different editions of the Southeast Asian Games in which she competed.

The athletics legend was last seen in 2019 during the opening ceremonies of the Southeast Asian Games where she was one of the flag bearers alongside other Philippine sports icons. -- BAP, GMA News