Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz took to social media to pen a message for this year's Filipino athletes at the Olympics in Paris, France.

On her Instagram page, the weightlifting champion wrote: "Sa mga atletang Pilipino, nasa inyo ang aking suporta at panalangin. Hangad ko ang inyong tagumpay. Para sa Diyos at bayan! Kita kits!"

Hidilyn clinched the first gold medal of the Philippines at the Olympics when she won the 55 kg category for weightlifting at Tokyo 2020 in July 2021. 

Hidilyn missed the chance to secure her slot for Paris 2024 in April during the qualifying rounds at the IWF World Cup.

Following the result, Hidilyn shared her plans as her journey to Paris 2024 concluded. 

"The result was not according to what I wanted and planned. But Thy will be done. It was not my day and #Paris2024 is not for me. Congratulations to all the weightlifters around the world who qualified in #Paris2024, especially the Filipino Athletes, and to the athletes who did their best in the last Olympic Qualifying Competition," she posted on social media in April.

Despite the turn of events, the athlete vowed that she would continue weightlifting and bringing inspiration to young athletes.

"It’s the end of my #Paris2024 Olympic journey, I will still lift, continue to lift, and inspire young Filipino Athletes to become Olympic Champions," she remarked.

The Philippines has 22 athletes at this year's Olympic games in Paris including boxers Nesthy Petecio, Eumir Marcial, and Carlo Paalam who bagged medals at Tokyo 2020.

Carlos Yulo, John Cabang Tolentino, EJ Obiena, and Bianca Pagdanganan are also among the Filipino athletes representing the country at Paris 2024.

The Filipino Olympians took part at the Olympic opening ceremony held on the River Seine on July 26.

The athletes wore the "Sinag" barong designed by Francis Libiran during the event.

"Proudly representing the Republic of the Philippines, the 'SINAG' barong designed by Francis Libiran shows our brave athletes wearing protective armor shields in vibrant colors of the Philippine Flag, inspired by the tattoo patterns of the majestic Pintados Tribe and the powerful rays of the Sun," Francis shared on his Instagram page.

Hidilyn Diaz shares plans beyond weightlifting: ‘This moment is for me to learn new skills’

He went on: "Like the Pintados, our Filipino athletes are brave heroes ready for battle, proudly raising our flag on the global arena. Resilient like the sun, Filipinos rise and shine despite life’s challenges."