MANILA – President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Thursday mourned the passing of Filipino sports icon Lydia de Vega-Mercado.
In a Facebook post, Marcos sent his condolences to the family and loved ones of de Vega-Mercado.
"I join the entire nation in mourning the untimely demise of former Asian sprint queen Lydia de Vega, after a four-year battle with breast cancer. My sincerest condolences to her family and loved ones," he said.
Marcos also honored de Vega-Mercado, Asia's former sprint queen, for her contribution to the sports industry.
He recalled that de Vega-Mercado won the 100-meter gold medal in the 1982 and 1986 Asian Games and ruled the sprint double in the Asian Athletics Championship in 1983 and 1987.
"Lydia was once touted as the fastest woman in Asia and she placed the Philippines in the map of international athletics," the President said.
"She is also a nine-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist. All in her favorite event, the 100-meter dash. Lydia was also a two-time Olympian, having represented the Philippines in the 1984 Los Angeles and 1988 Seoul Olympics," he added.
De Vega-Mercado, 56, passed away on Wednesday evening, her daughter, Stephanie Mercado Koenigswarter announced in a Facebook post.
Marcos prayed for the repose of de Vega-Mercado's soul.
"Lydia de Vega has run her last race. She has finished her contest. She has fought a good fight. Let us pray for her peace," he said.
De Vega-Mercado retired from active competition in 1994. (PNA)
