Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz was wearing another medal when she won the country’s first gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics.
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People said Diaz was also wearing the Miraculous Medal of Our Lady.
"She holds two medals. An Olympic Gold Medal and a Miraculous Medal. Congratulations Hidilyn Diaz!" the commission said in a Facebook post.
ECMI Vice Chairman Bishop Ruperto Santos said Diaz' win showed that Filipinos can rise up to any challenge with God's help.
"With victory of Hidilyn at Olympic, winning gold she has shown to us that Filipino can. We can rise up from all challenges in life. We can surmount all obstacles," he said.
"Taking what she has done and said, let us have faith in God, believe in ourselves and do all for our country," added Santos.
"With God for gold through the Miraculous Medal.
Congratulations Hidilyn and you make us proud as Filipinos. Thanks be to God and to our Blessed Mother Mary," he said.
In a separate statement, CBCP President Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles also congratulated Diaz for her feat.
"On behalf of the CBCP, I extend my utmost gratitude to Hidilyn for bringing honor to our country with her determined spirit and undying passion for what she does," he said.
"Her victory was captured through many lenses and in one of these photos was her holding the gold medal and wearing a Miraculous Medal of Our Lady on her chest. We admire her devotion to the Blessed Mother as she carried in her victory her great faith in God," added Valles.
"Hidilyn is a true weightlifter who draws her strength from her love for the country and her deep Catholic faith," he said.
Diaz on July 26 became the Philippines' first Olympic gold medalist after she ruled the 55kg weightlifting competition in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.