Tokyo Olympics: Hidilyn Diaz ‘honoured’ by praise as Asian body says Games go-ahead was ‘correct’ decision
- Weightlifter Diaz vows to ‘continue inspiring Filipinos’ after historic gold medal
- Olympic Council of Asia says she ‘produced one of the highlights of the Games’, as it basks in bumper medal haul of member nations
Mr Husain Al Musallam, the OCA’s director general, congratulated the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Tokyo organisers, saying the decision to go ahead with the Games in 2021 despite the Covid-19 pandemic was the correct one.
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The Philippines welcomes home nation’s first Olympic gold medallist, Hidilyn Diaz
Al Musallam also praised OCA member countries, especially China and Japan after their medal rush over the past two weeks.
“I feel very honoured that the OCA has recognised my achievements as well as other Asian athletes,” Diaz told the Post. “I hope to continue inspiring Filipinos, showing them that with hard work and dedication they too can achieve their dreams.”
The 30-year-old Diaz ended the Philippines long wait for their first Olympic gold medal when she made the winning lift on July 27 to take the title. After taking silver in the 53kg category at the 2016 Rio Games, Diaz’s victory sent the Philippines into raptures.
Although boxer Eumir Marcial was among the favourites to win gold, he finished with a bronze and Diaz remains the only Filipino who has stood at the top of the podium in the Olympics. Al Musallam said her triumph was one of the high points of the Games.
“Hidilyn Diaz produced one of the highlights of the Olympic Games for Asia, winning gold at her fourth Olympics,” he said in a statement. “After leaving the Rio Olympics in 2016 with a silver medal, Diaz continued to chase her Olympic dream and succeeded in Tokyo, releasing unbridled pride and joy around the Philippines and among the millions of Filipinos worldwide.”
China was the top Asian nation with 38 gold medals – overtaken on the final day on Sunday by the United States – with Japan finishing third overall with 27 gold medals. South Korea finished with six golds.
“China has excelled in several sports, winning seven gold medals in both diving and weightlifting, and has proved their prowess and excellence in several other sports such as shooting and table tennis with four gold medals in each sport,” said Al Musallam.
“Japan has enjoyed a wonderful home Olympics in their capital, with nine judo gold and five wrestling gold among the record medal haul and stirring victories in the popular team sports of baseball and softball. They also won four gold medals in two of the new sports – skateboarding and karate.
“Korea was dominant in archery with four gold medals, including three for 20-year-old An San in mixed team, women’s team and women’s individual, while the Islamic Republic of Iran, Chinese Taipei, Uzbekistan and Qatar all won multiple gold medals.”
Al Musallam said the OCA stood by the IOC when they postponed the Olympics last year and also when they decided to go ahead with the postponed Games despite protests within Japan and a surge in Covid-19 infections, particularly in Tokyo.
“The OCA has always stood by the IOC, first in the decision to postpone the Olympic Games by one year, and then to go ahead with the Games while observing strict health protocols and adopting countermeasures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus,” he said.
“The OCA feels that the decision to proceed with the Games has proved to be correct. As the Olympic Games in Tokyo prepares for the closing ceremony on Sunday evening, the Olympic Council of Asia would like to congratulate the International Olympic Committee and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee on the success of the Games.”
