Pole vaulter EJ Obiena wrote about his friendship with double Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo, while calling out stories that he purportedly commented about the gymnast's private life.
Pole vaulter EJ Obiena on Wednesday reiterated his friendship with double Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo, while clarifying he has not made any comments about the gymnast's private life.
Obiena made the statements on social media, in response to apparent stories about Yulo's personal life.
"I don’t comment on my private life and I certainly don’t want outsiders commenting on it. That’s why it’s called 'Private life.' It’s personal. It’s nobody else’s business," Obiena wrote.
"Because I embrace these values, I never comment on someone else’s personal life. I HAVE NEVER MADE A SINGLE COMMENT regarding Caloy’s private life and I never shall. Any assertion otherwise is outright libel. I know when to keep my mouth shut; and when it comes to anyone’s private life this is one of those times."
Gymnast Carlos Yulo made history for the Philippines by being the country's first-ever double gold medalist at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
But after his homecoming, Yulo quickly got heat on social media as issues regarding strained family relations surfaced.
[ALSO READ: “Napatawad ko na kayo a long time ago” | Olympics champion Carlos Yulo seeks reconciliation amidst family controversies]
His relationship with girlfriend Chloe San Jose also became a subject of debate.
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It got to the point that some netizens compared the private life of Yulo with Obiena, who had quickly become the "Nation's Boyfriend".
[ALSO READ: Boyfriend ng Bayan: Caroline Joyeux reveals two sides to PH pole vault star EJ Obiena]
Obiena immediately clarified there was nothing negative between him and Yulo, as they have represented the Philippines in two consecutive Olympic Games.
"I am friends with Caloy and have been for many years. And for decades to come," the pole vaulter wrote. "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."
Ever vocal agains misrepresentation, the pole vaulter declared that any stories of him making comments about Yulo's private life is clickbait.
[ALSO READ: Honor and Integrity over Money: EJ Obiena opposes alcohol and gambling endorsements]
"If you ever want to know what I say, come here or my other social media and you’ll see it. If some click bait site is making up stories to suck you into the drama, recognise it for what it is. It’s abuse. It’s not journalism," he said. "Let’s focus on cheering our athletes on, instead of creating false drama to sell advertising space."