MANILA – Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz poured mixed reactions about the postponement of the 2020
Tokyo Olympics due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak worldwide.
In an Instagram post, the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics silver medalist said that she was disappointed with the decision but at the same time relieved as she will have more time to prepare for a possible berth in the world’s biggest sports event.
“I can’t deny the fact I am disappointed with the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 and I left everything on hold in preparation for the Olympics. We are talking about the safety and health of all the athletes, their coaches, and their teams that will be participating in the Olympics,” she said.
“I cannot be selfish thinking of all the sacrifices I have done in the preparation for the Olympics without thinking of the frontliners risking their lives to save people who are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” she added.
“On the positive note, I’m kinda relieved not to worry that I can’t hold the barbell and do heavy weights for the last couple of days because of quarantine and have one more year to prepare for Olympics,” the 29-year-old Zamboangueña further said.
Diaz, who is currently ranked No. 5 around the world in her weight class, can seal her return trip to the Olympics by participating in the Ibero American Open. It was, however, recently postponed due to the virus.
The International Weightlifting Federation requires a minimum of six tournament qualifiers to clinch an Olympics seat. Diaz has currently participated in five./PN
