Olympism alive in Tokyo

Stephen Fernandez represented the Philippines at the 1988 and 1992 Olympics when taekwondo was a demonstration sport. He brought home a bronze medal from the Barcelona Games and today, is actively involved with the Philippine Olympians Association (POA) as treasurer. Fernandez was the senior deputy chef de mission of the Philippine delegation at the 2019 SEA Games and is the Philippine Taekwondo Association’s Chairman for Regional Affairs. He competed in the bantamweight division (54-58 kilograms) and won gold at the 1987 Jakarta SEA Games. He bagged the bronze at the Asian Taekwondo Championships in Nepal in 1988. Fernandez also won bronze at the 1989 and 1991 SEA Games.

Not too many know that Fernandez hatched the idea of inviting Hidilyn Diaz to enroll at the College of St. Benilde (CSB) on a full athletic scholarship. Diaz is three terms or a year away from earning a degree in Business Management. “It began when she came back from Rio in 2016,” related Fernandez who coached the La Salle taekwondo team for 24 years before becoming CSB athletic director in 2013. “POA hosted a lunch for her together with (PSC) Chairman Butch (Ramirez). In the course of the gathering, (POA president) Akiko (Thomson) asked what her plans were. Aside from continuing with weightlifting, she mentioned she wanted to continue her studies. She had stopped for a while but wanted to have something to fall back on after her sports career.”

Fernandez told Diaz he would consult CSB president and chancellor Br. Dennis Magbanua on the possibility of providing a scholarship. “After lunch, I went back to CSB and spoke with Br. Dennis,” he said. “He approved it. From then, we assisted her with the application process and by January 2017, she was enrolled and attending classes.” Diaz was welcomed warmly at CSB and participated in school activities.  While training for her fourth Olympics in Malaysia, Diaz made sure she kept up with her lessons via on-line sessions. When Diaz came home from Tokyo and quarantined, she continued to do her on-line classes.

Fernandez, 53, said staging the Olympics in Tokyo despite the pandemic was a triumph of the human spirit. “I’m glad the Tokyo Games pushed through,” he said. “I’m really happy for the athletes and the Philippines. The Olympics is a chapter in my life I will never forget. Grateful and thankful for the opportunity to represent our flag and country and come home with a medal. It was always festive in the Olympics. After your event, you went around the Olympic Village to see what the other athletes were doing. You could watch other games when you were done with competing. Just show your ID or a special pass or ticket from the delegation secretariat. The closing ceremony was like one big party.”

This year, the celebration in Tokyo was subdued as the IOC prioritized the safety of all participants without compromising the quality of competition. Although the atmosphere was unlike any previous Olympics because spectators were disallowed, the athletes kept the Olympic spirit alive somehow. “I’m proud of our athletes,” said Fernandez. “This was truly a special batch, an inspiration to our youth. Like everyone, I’d been waiting to see a Filipino go up that podium and receive an Olympic gold medal. It finally happened. Will never forget the playing of our national anthem during Hidilyn’s awarding ceremony. A lot of positivity and good vibes for the nation and the world.”

Fernandez recalled that during his first Olympics in 1988, bowler Arianne Cerdena took the gold medal in singles but the victory was not counted in the standings because bowling was a demo sport. “Arianne mentioned our national anthem was played in 1988 when she won in Seoul,” he said. In 2008, Willy Wang won a gold for the country but wushu was a demo sport so again, it wasn’t counted in the medal standings. Hidilyn’s feat was the Philippines’ first-ever Olympic gold medal recognized by the IOC.