The world’s number-3 pole vaulter, Filipino athlete Ernest John “EJ” Obiena, delivered a message to student athletes in the country through a Department of Education (DepEd) video.
“I know it’s hard, but you need to remember you know, it’s student then athlete. So student first, need to study, you need to do that then athlete comes after,” Obiena said in a mix of Filipino and English.
“I understand the difficulties of balancing this. I wish you guys all the best and keep going forward, keep fighting, keep being smart in the decisions that you make,” he added.
The pole vaulter hopes for more Filipino Olympians in the future to come from the generation of student athletes today. Still, he reminded them to enjoy sports above all.
“Hopefully, one day we’ll have more Olympians. Yeah, I mean, the future rest in your hands. I don’t mean to give you guys pressure,” Obiena said.
“Enjoy and have fun, enjoy sports, it is a way of life,” he added.
