Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz is more than happy to be part of the executive board of the International Weightlifting Federation.

Diaz said she takes pride in serving as the voice of the athletes as it gives her a chance to help in making the sport fair and safe.

Diaz bannered the seven-man Philippine squad in the IWF World Championships in Riyadh. She finished seventh in the women's 59-kilogram event while other Filipinos have yet to land on the medal podium of this tourney that offers ranking points for the Paris Olympics.

Southeast Asian Games gold medalists Vanessa Sarno and Kristel Macrohon will try to give the Philippines its first medal when they compete in the women's 71-kg event on 14 September.

"Yes, sometimes, this is more difficult than competing," Diaz, who joins Luisa Peters of the Cook Islands and Forrester Osei of Ghana as athletes' representatives in the IWF executive board.

"I am really happy to be involved in the life and
decision-making process of the IWF. It's sometimes a huge responsibility, but a good one."

"But I chose this way, and my fellow athletes chose me to represent them. It's a big honor for me. Together with the other members of the Athletes Commission, I believe we brought positive changes to the IWF."

Diaz was elected to the post last December in the IWF Congress in Bogota, the same venue where she picked up her gold medal in the world championships in the women's 55-kg event.

With the sport being hounded by doping issues, Diaz will have a say in making sure the sport will remain in the Olympics after the Summer Games, which will feature only five weight categories in the men's (61-kg, 73-kg, 89-kg, 102-kg and +102-kg) and women's (49-kg, 59-kg, 71-kg, 81-kg and +81-kg).

The sport, however, will not be featured in the next edition of the Olympics in 2028 together with boxing and modern pentathlon.

More than ever, Diaz is happy to get a voice in the creation of the 2024-2032 IWF Strategic Plan and have her opinion be heard by top weightlifting executives from around the world.

"Having athletes on the Board, making proposals, joining the discussions, and voting on relevant matters for the life of our Federation is a huge step forward. Moreover, being involved more recently in the elaboration of a strategic document for the IWF allowed me to share my ideas on how to progress in the long term, how to build up our brand and to engage more with our athletes and fans," Diaz said.

"All this is quite important for us. Finally, don't forget I am a woman — I represent women's weightlifting and I have a say in the development of our sport. This is fundamental for me."