Congratulations to Hidilyn Diaz for winning the mint in her weight class for weightlifting in the 18th Asian Games! Hidilyn made us proud!

Watching one of Hidilyn’s interviews on television, two things struck me about our champion. First, when she was asked about her thoughts on the supposed P6 million incentive she will receive as a gold medalist, she said she was there to compete for God’s glory and not for the incentives. Then, she added that everything that comes after she fulfills her duty to God is a blessing already. This shows the humble character of Hidilyn.

When I was growing up I was taught by my parents to find the intrinsic value of winning a race and not for any reward after. To me, winning a gold is for being the best and being the best at that moment should be the reward in itself.

In many swimming competitions, I overheard parents telling their kids of rewards like a new gadget or toys. It can help motivate but it dilutes the true essence of working hard and trying one’s utmost best to improve and work for that gold medal.

I remember when I finished high school, I was already a five-gold medal winner in the SEA Games and consistent A student. So, I asked my Dad if could get a car as a graduation gift.

My dad politely declined this request and said that even if he could give me a car as a gift, he could not give me my wish because that was not why I swim and work hard in school.

We ended up eating at my favorite pizza place instead. That was my graduation gift.

Two years after at the 1989 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games, I won the Best Male Athlete Award or the Coca-Cola Gold Award being the best male performance in the entire SEA Games and from among all sports. I was chosen for winning three gold medals and one of them was an Asian record. It had a cash award with it and a beautiful trophy. I was able to purchase my first car through my hard work. I believe it was God’s gift to me. I still have that car to this day as a constant reminder that anything is possible thru God’s grace.

The second thing that struck me about Hidilyn’s statements was her reply about the possibility of her winning our first Olympic Gold medal in Tokyo 2020. She made light of the sudden pressure of an Olympic Gold. She just asked for prayers for good health and our support in her training all the way to 2020.

She spoke from her heart about what she really wants from supporters and countrymen. Her wish is the same as ours and that is to win an Olympic Gold, but she also asked that we allow her to train and prepare for that challenge with the belief that she can do it.

That is a call to our sports officials to support and allow Hidilyn and athletes like her the opportunity to train in the best possible locations and conditions available. It may be right here in our country or maybe a training stint abroad. Hidilyn will need the space and our trust in her decisions for her preparation upon her return from Jakarta.

I remember a time in my career preparing for the 1993 Singapore SEA Games (which was right after my six-gold medal win in the Manila SEA Games) that as early 5 a.m. media outfits were already on the pool deck watching me train and then asking for an interview right after training like they were already experts in the sport. It was like being under a microscope. That was a very tough training environment, which I wasn’t able to handle at that time. So I decided to spend almost an entire year training in Bacolod City where I had some space to focus and prepare for the upcoming Games.

Hidilyn and other athletes like her know that when they step on that stage, they represent over 100 million of us. The thought of that is already a tremendous amount of pressure.

Instead of asking them if they will win, we should tell them we know they can win and will be supporting and praying for them all the way.

Let us continue to inspire them and embrace their hard work for our country. What they need today is our belief that they can do it. Let us allow them to focus for our nation’s quest for our very first Olympic Gold medal.