by Simon Daish

The #ThisMedalIsForYou or #EstaMedallaesParaTi campaign, championed by the Pan Am Sports Organisation, has been brought about to show appreciation to those working on the front line across the world putting the lives of others before their own.

Sporting stars from across the Americas are taking part in the initiative, including Puerto Rican table tennis icon Adriana Diaz.

Adriana is the most successful table tennis player to hail from Puerto Rican shores with incredible success on the continental scene.

Olympic debut

Making history with her appearance at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Adriana is also a two-time Pan America Cup winner and helped Puerto Rico to three gold medals at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima. Continuing to lead Puerto Rico to new heights, Adriana achieved a personal best position of 19th on the women’s world rankings in March 2020.

Boasting a fine athletic record, but in these unprecedented times sporting achievements are of secondary importance. Key workers in hospitals, nursing and care homes, along with the emergency services are being asked to perform duties of heroic proportions. They are indeed the stars of today, as they are everyday!

Full of admiration for those front line workers, Adriana has expressed her solidarity towards everyone making sacrificing during the crisis:

“As players we sacrifice a great deal to try to gain success; now people are sacrificing a great deal because of COVID-19. So, we wanted to show our support for the doctors and nurses who are on the front line. Stay safe everyone!” Adriana Diaz

Another example of human kindness and togetherness, #ThisMedalisForYou is a wonderful symbol of gratitude towards the heroics being performed by front line staff day in day out.