Aiming to inspire more youth and women athletes to follow in her footsteps, olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz on Monday turned over her Olympic silver medal and other personal paraphernalia to the Philippine Sports Commission.
Accompanied by her mother, Emelita, the 26-year-old Diaz brought with her the silver medal she won in women’s weightlifting event of the Rio Olympics last year, as well as her competition gear, shoes, parade jacket and pants.
In a simple ceremony, PSC chairman Butch Ramirez received the personal items from Diaz who agreed to put her personal memento on display at the PSC Sports Museum located inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
“In behalf of the PSC, we will take care of your silver medal. We will cherish it for the common good of the country and of the community of sports. We will handle it like the instruction of the President to guard you 24 hours a day and like a very precious jewel,” Ramirez told Diaz.
“We will take care of it like the way we took Hidilyn as a precious gem and being the Pearl of Philippine sports. We will assure you that your achievement will be shared to others like your illustrious Olympic medal.”
Diaz will let the PSC put her original items on display, including her silver medal although she would get it back when a replica is ready to take its place in the display case.
The PSC Museum currently has a repository of valuable items from former national athletes such as plaques, trophies, competition uniforms, title belts, balls and even original medals of Olympians.
Ramirez, who was with commissioners Arnold Agustin, Mon Fernandez and Celia Kiram, said they will construct a new area for the sports paraphernalia for all visitors to see and appreciate. “Dapat ung sa may entrance like hallway, para everyday nakikita ng mga tao.
Diaz mother, Emelita, could only smile and rejoice in silence for the accolade her daughter has been getting. “Bakasyon lang ako dito sa Manila at uuwi rin sa Zamboanga. Pasyal muna kasama anak ko.”