WHILE gold medals matter, International Olympic Committee (IOC) representative to the Philippines Mikee Cojuangco Jaworski said sports is beyond winning.
"Of course, gusto nating makakuha ng medalya but before we get there, we have to start somewhere... in our homes, schools, communities, streets and barangays. The IOC recognizes that no matter what we do in top level of the sports in the world can't be achieved and received by individuals without partnership," Jaworski, an Asian Games gold medalist, said during Friday's resumption of the National Consultative Meeting at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Thus, she praised stakeholders present for understanding the value of sports as she urged them to make sure that young athletes are taught the right technique, correct habit and encourage them to try to reach their full potential.
She shared how talks only revolve around how many medals won but it does not really get much attention when athlete does not win a gold.
She continued, "Ang sakit kaya nun. Nobody talks about you, if you have a gold medal 'yun pa (pag-uusapan ka). But the amount of sacrifice to qualify in Asia and in the world, hindi po ba natin naisip, nakita nating naghirap and made progress and reached level of success, these are the people who have experience."
As an athlete, she said, she too made sacrifices having had to endure body pains in training and shun social activities.
Whether an athlete loses or wins, Jaworski said there is already a high level of personality development.
"Certainly our goal in sports goes beyond medals. It's inside the person," she said, adding how she is saddened by the fact that only one percent of every committed and serious athlete in the world qualifies to become an Olympian. Those who reached the biggest stage in sports such as the Olympics are "the best of the best of the best" and deserve recognition.
She also believes that Filipinos will not lag behind the rest of the world even if the country does not have the best facilities or technology used in sports.
"Bilang mga Pilipino, kahit maraming lugar sa atin ang walang computers o walang internet, hindi tayo dehado kung ang nagtuturo may alam. We want to be counted. We want to be recognized. We want to be acknowledged. As Filipinos, we deserve it," Jaworski added.