Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena has firmly denied making any remarks about the personal life of fellow Olympian Carlos Yulo, denouncing what he called “misleading stories” circulating online.
In a Facebook post, the world No. 3 pole vaulter stressed that he respects privacy and would never involve himself in anyone’s private matters, including Yulo’s.
“That’s why it’s called ‘Private life’. It’s personal. It’s nobody else’s business,” Obiena wrote. He reiterated his belief in maintaining boundaries, stating, “I HAVE NEVER MADE A SINGLE COMMENT regarding Caloy’s private life and I never shall. Any assertion otherwise is outright libel.”
Obiena also emphasized his long-standing friendship with Yulo, expressing admiration for the gymnast’s achievements. “I don’t compete with my friend Caloy and I deeply respect him. He is a great champion for our country and I applaud him. I am proud of him. I am thankful for the glory he has brought our country.”
He urged the public to ignore “clickbait sites” and instead follow verified social media pages for accurate updates. “Thank you and I shall have no further comment on the matter. I am focused on getting ready for the upcoming season. Let’s focus on cheering our athletes on, instead of creating false drama to sell advertising space,” Obiena added.
Both Obiena and Yulo represented the Philippines at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Obiena finished fourth in the pole vault event, a significant improvement from his 11th place finish in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Meanwhile, Yulo made history by winning two gold medals in gymnastics, dominating both the floor exercise and vault.
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As Obiena prepares for the next season, he hopes fans will stay focused on supporting athletes without being sidetracked by fabricated controversies.
