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Hidilyn Diaz throws support behind Team Philippines in Paris Olympics
The Philippines' first-ever Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz is one with the nation in rallying behind her fellow national athletes set to see action in the 2024 Paris Olympics starting on Saturday.
Diaz, who delivered a record-breaking performance in the 2021 Tokyo Games en route to a rare gold medal in the weightlifting tournament, threw her support and prayer to the 22-man delegation, who are also marking the country's centennial appearance in the Summer Games.
"Sa mga atletang Pilipino, nasa inyo ang aking suporta at panalangin. Hangad ko ang inyong tagumpay," Diaz said in an Instagram post early Saturday.
"Para sa Diyos at Bayan!"
Diaz, of course, knew what winning and losing in the grandest stage in sports meant.
Since 2008, the Zamboanga native has been competing in the Olympics. In her debut that year in Beijing, Diaz finished 11th but she registered a DNF (did not finish) in the following edition in the 2012 London Games.
Diaz then claimed the silver in 2016 in Brazil, which set the stage for a breakthrough golden medal run in 2021 in Tokyo, where she set an Olympic record total lift of 224 kilograms.
And Diaz wants to see more Filipinos follow in her footsteps.
Several of the medal hopefuls for the Philippines are pole vaulter EJ Obiena and her fellow weightlifter Elreen Ando and Vanessa Sarno.
Also seeing action today are gymnastics ace Carlos Yulo and rower Joanie Delgaco while completing the 22-man Philippine team are Kayla Sanchez, Jarod Hatch, Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, Aira Villegas, Carlo Paalam, Hergie Bacyadan, Bianca Pagdanganan, Lauren Hoffman, John Ceniza, Levi Ruivivar, Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo, Sam Catantan, Dottie Ardina, Kiyomi Watanabe, and John Cabang.
READ MORE | Philippines at the 2024 Paris Olympics
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
