Following the success of Hidilyn Diaz and many of our athletes at the recently held Olympics, the Philippine Sports Commission has renamed some of its venues to top Filipino athletes.
The weightlifting gym at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila is now the Hidilyn Diaz weightlifting gym. The move recognizes the athlete’s gold medal at the Olympics.
Meanwhile, the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex’s tennis court has been named the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Court. Ampon is a tennis legend described as the greatest player in Philippine history.
The pool is now called the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool. Yldefonso is an Olympic bronze medalist dubbed the Father of the Modern Breaststroke. He is also the first Philippine athlete to win an Olympic medal after scoring in 1928 and 1932.
Lastly, the track stadium has been renamed the Simeon Toribio Track Stadium. Toribio is remembered for winning the bronze medal at the high jump competition at the 1932 Olympics and five golds at the Far Eastern Games (Asian Games).
According to PSC Chairman William Ramirez, “These athletes have given honor to the country with their work in sports, we hope to keep their legacies alive for this and next generations.”
He added, “We want to pique the interest of the people who will read about or visit the facility. Who is Teofilo Yldefonso? What did Felicisimo Ampon do that this venue is named [after] him?”
The PSC also said that they will be naming more sports venues after top Filipino athletes soon.
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