The recent success of Carlos Yulo at the 2024 Paris Olympics, following Hidilyn Diaz's historic gold medal, has sparked excitement about what many are calling the "golden age" of Philippine sports. However, this period of triumph also highlights ongoing challenges, including insufficient government support and inadequate facilities.
In an interview with Preview, Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, actress, multi-sport athlete, and director-general of the Philippine Equestrian Federation, emphasized that while the victories are significant, they should not lead to complacency and just *clout* as there are still a lot of things that needed to be done.
"I wouldn't say that we are already [in the golden age]. There's still a lot that can be done. There's still a lot that we can reach," Mikee declared. "I am one with everyone else in celebrating the laurels, but coming from an athlete's perspective, I don't want to rest on them," she added.
Because it takes a village to raise a victor, Mikee stated that gold medals require investment not just from the athletes themselves but even from the government. "It's really awesome that we have a super athlete in Caloy, but to be able to have more is even better. We have two gold medals from one athlete. Let's get five from five different athletes, then we are in a golden age. We haven't qualified a team in at least the last decades. I would love to watch a team of Filipinos compete," Mikee emphasized.
However, given the challenges that the country is facing, she admits that it is going to take time. "It's very complex and requires a large investment from the country, whether it's government or private...And seeing that hunger remains a problem for a lot of Filipinos, I wouldn't be surprised if it's gonna take a long time for us to get to that point," she addressed.
Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski Reflects On The Lessons Of Being An Athlete
ICYDK, Mikee's perspective is shaped not only by her athletic achievements but also by her unique position as the first Filipino and Asian woman elected to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board. For Mikee, being an athlete is more than just the glory that comes with the victory; it is about the character, discipline, and growth that comes with it.
Defeat is inevitable. Mikee, too, had "lost more" than what she'd won. But she emphasized that being an athlete, and having to take the leap of faith, is always fulfilling. "To encourage people to get into sports from the experience of character building is so important...You don't realize it, but you learn how to be your best, you learn how to live with others when you play by the same rules," Mikee said.
"Now, I look back on my days as an athlete and they were still the most fun. It's always that way in hindsight, but for someone else to be able to experience that kind of journey, it's enough of a reason for me to say, 'Try it.' You think about being able to learn the joy of effort in sports as a kid and then, even if eventually you stop, you use it in different parts of your life," Mikee recounted.
Mikee is definitely more than just the "it girl" we see on camera and television shows. And now, being in one of the most crucial leadership positions in the field of sports, Mikee vows to be of service to the people on and off the field.
"What I learned in the IOC, is that nothing is about me," she concluded.
