THE Philippine OlympIc Committe (POC) should follow the examples of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the different international federations in dealing with such pressing issues as the athletes’ mental health and transgenders in sports.

IOC Executive Board member Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski believes the two issues which rocked the sporting world as much as the gold-medal winning performances in the Tokyo Olympics should be carefully evaluated with the help of experts and backed up by science.

“Psychology plays a big role in our life and mental health is important not just for athletes but for every individuals,” said Cojuangco-Jaworski during her special appearance in the 118th “Usapang Sports on Air” by the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) via Zoom last Thursday.

Cojuangco-Jaworski supported the decision of American gymnast Simone Biles, who shocked the sports world with her decision to pull out of her events at the Tokyo Olympics, and tennis champion Naomi Osaka, to speak up about their mental health and well-being.

“Dati talagang hindi masyado napag-uusapan itong mental health, lalo sa mga atleta. But with my background on psychology, simula pa lang ay naniniwala na ako na itong mental health issues are just as important as physical health issues,” explained Cojuangco-Jaworski, who earned the distinction as the first Asian female executive board member of the IOC during the election last year.

“Sports psychology plays a big part in the performance of the athletes. Kaya sana nga mapagtuunan din natin ito ng pansin para sa kapakanan ng lahat, lalo sa mga kapwa ko atleta. They know the level of their own mental health pressures, so let’s also give compassion to our athletes as human beings,” added Cojuangco-Jaworski during the weekly public service program sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Games and Amusements Board (GAB).

Cojuangco-Jaworski, who also served the IOC in several commissions since 2013, said the IOC even had mental health hotlines during the Tokyo Olympics.

“We have volunteer experts from all over the world to listen to the athletes 24/7. Madaming athletes na nag-reached out talaga para may maka-usap dahil hindi sila maka-tulog, nag-aalala dahil may laban sila or hindi alam kung ano nakaka-distract sa kanila. May mga athletes din na tumawag dahil sa pressure na kailangan manalo sila. There were different situations that were brought up, na kailangan talaga may maka-usap sila at mailabas yun mga worries nila. But it is also important na professional dahil there is an expertise that comes into that.”

“That’s why the more developed countries are also successful in sports. They have sports psychologists to take care of their athletes, either in a program or individually.”

The 47-year-old daughter of former POC president Peping Cojuangco and wife of former PBA player Dodot Jaworski cited the success of Tokyo Olympics weightlifting gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz.

“We all know about the success of Hidilyn in weightlifting. She was a silver medalist in 2016 Rio Olympics and now gold medalist in Tokyo Olympics. Hidilyn attributes her success to her support team, which include a sports psychologist. So meron talagang magandang resulta,” explained Cojuangco-Jaworski, also the president of the Equestrian Association of the Philippines.

Also a popular movie-TV actress and commercial model, Cojuangco-Jaworski admitted being thrilled to be assigned to present the gold to Diaz during the awarding ceremony.

“It was really a blessing that I was assigned by the IOC to award the medals for that particular event,” recalled Cojuangco-Jaworski when asked about the distinction of being the few Filipino eyewitnesses to Diaz’s historic feat.

“Dasal ako ng dasal talaga dahil nasubaybayan ko si Hidilyn mula simula. Pati sa social media niya nakikita ko yung efforts nya. Prepared talaga siya manalo physically, mentally, spiritually. Kaya nun nanalo na siya, nawala talaga ang poise ko. Yung inilabas ko talaga ang sobrang saya ko. Yung moment na nakita ko yung Philippine flag at nadinig ko yung Lupang Hinirang.

Asked about the controversial issue of allowing transgender athletes to compete for the first time during the Tokyo Olympics, Cojuangco-Jawoski defended the IOC decision.

“As far as technical issues are concerned, partner talaga ng IOC ang mga IFs (international federations). It’s really up to the IFs since the IOC acknowledges the fact that they are the experts in their own sport,”claimed Cojuangco-Jaworski, one of three Filipino athletes who bagged a gold medal during the 2002 Busan Asian Games.

“Yung transgender athlete who represented New Zealand sa women’s weightlifting was allowed by their own IF. Sa rugby, sila naman they imposed a total ban on transgender athletes competing in women’s event because of satety issues. Sa athletics, yung testosterone level ang pinag-uusapan to ensure level playing field.”

“But the IOC is constantly reviewing all issues, including transgender participation,” she explained.