Lawmakers mourn Asia's Sprint Queen de Vega, hail her as pioneer and heroine

Lawmakers hailed the late Filipino sports legend Lydia de Vega, known as Asia's Sprint Queen in the 1980s, as a pioneer and a heroine.

Members of Congress led by former President and Pampanga Representative Gloria Arroyo issued the statement after de Vega, 57, died of breast cancer on Wednesday night.

"Dubbed 'the fastest woman in Asia,' she put Philippine sports on the world map and brought much honor to our country.  She will long be remembered by the nation," Arroyo said.

"May her achievements motivate other Filipino athletes to aspire for excellence in   their chosen sport. My sincere condolences to her husband, Paul, and their children," she added.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez of Leyte, for his part, said de Vega's winning ways such as her gold medal finishes in the 100-meter dash in the 1982 and 1986 Asian Games, will always bring pride and honor to the country and serves a lesson for the country to do better in taking care of its sports heroes.

In July, de Vega's family reached out for financial assistance as her hospital bills mounted due to breast cancer.

“Lydia de Vega was one of the greatest and the most decorated Filipino athletes. Her death highlights the need for our government and the private sector to support Filipino athletes not only while they are healthy and physically able to compete but in retirement as well," Romualdez said.

"Our prayers and thoughts are with Lydia de Vega’s family at this most difficult time," he added.

Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta party-list Representative Migs Nograles agreed with Romualdez.

"It is sad to lose one of the first female heroes of our country. As a former athlete, Ms. Lydia is an inspiration, and it is sad that her family had to seek financial assistance during her final days because we do not have enough programs to support and give retirement benefits to our past Olympians," Nograles said.

Representative Elpidio Barzaga, Jr. of Dasmariñas, for his part, described de Vega as a Philippine sports heroine and icon who cleared the way for lone Filipino Olympic gold medalist and weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz.

"Lydia de Vega was among the first modern sports heroes that Filipinos looked up to. We basked in the pride that she gave us with her achievements. Her legacy of greatness will live on," Barzaga said.

"This is evident in how she paved the way for the likes of Hidilyn Diaz in capturing the imagination of the young girls in every corner of the country through the glory achieved in sports," he added.

Senator Robin Padilla said de Vega's legacy goes beyond her sport of athletics.

"Kaisa ko ang buong bansa sa pagluluksa sa pagpanaw ng isang alamat—ang Asia's Sprint Queen na si Lydia de Vega-Mercado. Dahil sa kanya, naging kahanga-hanga ang Pilipinas sa ating karatig bansa," he said.

"Pero higit pa rito, atin siyang dapat pasalamatan sa inspirasyong ibinigay niya sa atin, hindi lamang bilang atleta at bilang Pilipino. Salamat po at paalam, Ma'am Diay!" he added.

Senator Risa Hontiveros called de Vega, who represented the Philippines in the 1984 Los Angeles and the 1988 Seoul Olympics, a titan and a trailblazer in many ways.

"As an elite athlete and two-time Olympian, her feet were magical when she ran track.  As a coach and mentor, her competitive spirit inspired many Filipinos wanting to be their best.  And as one of the most recognizable female athletes in the country, her brilliance encouraged many women and young girls to reach our full potential and continue her legacy—to win, to take space, and to keep coming back for more," Hontiveros said.

"Truly, Lydia de Vega lived the life of a true legend: showing the world how to be a champion in athletics and a hero to others beyond the world of sports. We share the grief of the nation and offer our sympathies to all her family and friends," she added.

Senators Lito Lapid and Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr. also filed separate Senate Resolutions expressing condolences to de Vega's family and paying tribute to the Filipino sports legend.

"Lydia De Vega has inspired generations of Filipino athletes who saw in her the endless possibilities for those who choose to dedicate their lives for the glory of our country regardless of their humble beginnings," Lapid said in his Resolution.

"As the whole nation mourns the loss of one of its greatest athletes whose indelible mark will forever be etched in history, we likewise honor her life and legacy  which  brought  pride and  honor to the  country  and  inspired a generation  of athletes," Revilla added.

De Vega was last seen in 2019 during the opening ceremonies of the Southeast Asian Games where she was one of the flag bearers alongside other Philippine sports icons. — LA/BM, GMA News