The Department of Tourism (DOT) expressed its adulation to the Filipino athletes representing the country in the ongoing Tokyo Olympics and thanked them for being a "source of inspiration" amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
In a statement, the DOT congratulated weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz and boxer Nesthy Petecio for leading the Philippines' impressive multi-medal finish in the Olympics--a first for the country in 89 years.
Diaz won the Philippines' first ever Olympic gold medal since joining the quadrennial games in 1924 during the 55-kilogram weightlifting event, while Petecio clinched a silver medal after competing in the women's boxing featherweight division.
"Petecio's victory brings pride and joy to the Philippines as she is the first Filipina boxer to bag an Olympic medal, ending the country's boxing medal drought since Onyok Velasco's silver medal in the 1996 Summer Olympics," the DOT noted.
"The DOT also celebrates Hidilyn Diaz' gold, as these have led the Philippines to a multi-medal finish in the Olympics," it added.
Aside from Petecio and Diaz, boxers Eumir Marcial and Carlo Paalam are also assured of a podium finish in the Tokyo Games.
The department also hailed the rest of the "dedicated athletes" from Team Philippines for being a source of inspiration for Filipinos during these trying times.