Hidilyn Diaz rues continued lack of support for Philippine athletes

MANILA, Philippines — Hidilyn Diaz returned home a hero after snaring the first gold medal for the Philippines in the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Now she’s taking that role up a notch, and verbalizing what many athletes outside prominent sports are voicing out.

In an interview with Sports5, the Olympian poured her heart out when she was asked to explain a poem she wrote before her gold medal-winning performance. It tackled the scathing comments she wrestles with online apropos to her pleas for support for the sport.  

“May isang tao na nagsabing atleta ka lang,” she bared. “Na hindi ka puwedeng magsalita, mag-request ng ganito. Minsan sinabihan ako ng ‘request ka nang’ request.’”

Diaz went on to say offer that "‘Yung demand nila, sobrang high. Pero ‘yung binibigay nila, sobrang liit.”

Here is Diaz’ cryptic poetry that made rounds on social media.

This is what I feel days before the Asian Games 2018. pic.twitter.com/boDAKKN54H

— Hidilyn Diaz OLY (@diaz_hidilyn) August 24, 2018

Diaz also noted that even she had been dealing with the flak and lack of support even after she notched the silver medal in the grandest sporting stage: the Olympics.

“So ako, after winning silver medal, sa Olympics, gusto niyong mag gold ako, pero ‘di niyo binibigay kung anong karapat-dapat para sa isang elite athlete,” she shared.

Watch Diaz’s full interview here: