Hidilyn Diaz recalled Malacañang’s inclusion of her in the drug matrix upon winning Phillippine’s first-ever gold in the Olympics.
After making the historical record, the 30-year-old said she felt mixed emotions.
“Hindi ako makapaniwala na naiuwi ko ito. Nasurpresa ako na nagawa ko yun. Kakaiba si God. Sa totoo lang, kinakabahan ako na baka hindi ko magawa. Pero the whole day, the whole week, sinasabi ko na ‘I believe. I believe.’ Tsaka prepared ako.
“Actually, hindi ko alam na Olympic record ‘yung ginagawa ko. Hindi rin ako makapaniwala na nandoon ‘yung pangalan ko sa Olympic record. I’m really thankful” she said during Gretchen Ho’s exclusive interview.
Here’s Hidilyn Diaz, the first ever Philippine gold medalist.#SeeUsStronger @cignaltv #Tokyo2020 @OneSportsPHL @mvpsfph #MVPSportsFoundation pic.twitter.com/lJkcQ2gLkN
— Gretchen (@gretchenho) July 26, 2021
Not known to many, Diaz went through a lot of hardships before claiming her success. She shared that she pleaded for financial support, had to leave school, and was separated from her parents for many months to undergo strenuous training. Adding to this, Diaz initially thought that winning the competition would be impossible with these problems combined plus the effects of pandemics.
The athlete also revealed that she feared for her life when she was included in the drug matrix.
“Sa totoo lang ang dami kong pinagdaanan. Ang hirap mag-sustain. Tapos nagkaroon ng matrix di’ba?” Diaz said.
(2/2) Here’s Hidilyn Diaz, the first ever Philippine gold medalist.#SeeUsStronger @cignaltv #Tokyo2020 @OneSportsPHL @mvpsfph #MVPSportsFoundation pic.twitter.com/FmN8IqxJcV
— Gretchen (@gretchenho) July 26, 2021
In 2019, Presidential Chief Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo accused Diaz of being associated with personalities and groups allegedly “plotting to oust” Pres. Rodrigo Duterte.
The athlete back then decided to seek private sponsorship. But after being included in Panelo’s list of names, Diaz feared for her life.
Ho, also included in the matrix two years ago, retweeted a netizen’s post who recalled the issue.
— Gretchen (@gretchenho) July 26, 2021
Both Diaz and Ho had quickly denied being part of the alleged conspiracy.
Reacting to the issue through a video, Diaz reiterated in the past that she had no idea about it, for she was busy with her training and preparations for the Olympics.
She said in an old video, “Anong matrix? Ano yun? Wala akong alam kong ano man yun at di ko alam kung sinong nili-link nyo sa akin. Ako, as an athlete, sobrang busy po ako at wala akong time sa mga ano pong sinasabi ninyo. Sobrang focused ako sa goal ko for Tokyo 2020. Sana huwag niyo pong idadawit ang pangalan ng isang tao na sobrang busy at sobrang sinasakripisyo ang lahat para sa Pilipinas.”
Panelo claiming Hidilyn Diaz now a Filipino Pride after ignoring, hurting, redtagging this beautiful athlete back in 2019. #NeverForget 🇵🇭pic.twitter.com/VWyJdZTX8v
— Rod Magaru (@rodmagaru) July 27, 2021
During an interview with Atom Araullo for #StandforTruth in 2019, Diaz also had a mental breakdown after being confronted with the allegations. While shedding tears, the female athlete said she struggled to continue her training amid her accusations.
“Kasi hindi ko alam na may ganitong issue. Tapos ako focused ako sa pagtra-training, focused ako sa qualifying kasi may mga laro pa akong kailangang laruin tapos bigla na lang sasabihin na ganito. Nasho-shock lang ako. Security ko, ng parents ko, yun ang iniisip ko” she told Araullo.
Diaz was heavily criticized at that time because of her name’s inclusion in the matrix. Despite this, she was unwavering by her bashers, for she knew that she is innocent.
Diaz said, “Marami. Para sa akin naman alam ko kung saan ako nagstand, sa sarili ko. Hindi ko kailangang mag-explain sa kanila kasi nga wala talaga akong alam sa mga binibintang nila sa akin.”
https://twitter.com/RainbowTravelr/status/1419937839802847232?s=20
On her official Twitter account, Diaz also looked back on the issue by reposting the Twitter thread.
