Rio 2016’s women’s singles champion Monica Puig still gets goose-bumps when looking back on her first Olympic Games.

Puig, who won Puerto Rico’s first Olympic gold medal in any sport when she beat Angelique Kerber in the final four years ago, said winning was only part of what made her experience in Rio de Janeiro so special.

“I loved my experience at my first ever Olympics,” said Puig, speaking to ITFTennis.com as the world celebrates Olympic Day. “Winning the gold medal was surreal, but just being a part of that whole experience, and knowing that I was a part of one of the biggest celebrations of sports in the world, I still get goose-bumps just thinking about it.

“It’s such a beautiful thing to witness – for example, the opening ceremony, just how many people were there, and the emotions running high. I really loved it, loved every single part of Rio – not just winning, obviously winning was huge, but just what I experienced, especially in the Olympic Village and with our team. It was so beautiful.”

Olympic Day, 23 June, commemorates the day the International Olympic Committee was founded in 1894, two years before the first Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896. In 2020 the celebration has become particularly poignant as the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics until next year, continues to affect daily lives around the world.

During this unprecedented time, the Olympic Movement has highlighted the inspirational work and words of Olympians around the globe. With their energy and positivity, athletes have been helping fans get through this crisis by sharing their daily workouts as well as tips for staying healthy in body and mind during lockdown.

“June 23^rd is a very special day for all us Olympians and for the entire world,” Puig added. “The Olympics is such an amazing event, it really brings the best of both worlds together, which is sports and unity and individuals.

“I was hoping to have those same experiences this year in Tokyo, but I’m looking ahead to next year and hoping to relive some of those amazing memories all over again. It’s a totally different setting for the Games in Asia – it’s going to be a different experience. Japan is beautiful, and Tokyo is such an amazing city, and I’m just really interested to see what it’s going to be like. Rio was all of that Latin flavour, so I’m really excited to see what it’s going to be like in Tokyo and to experience my second Olympic Games, that’s going to be huge!

“I hope you guys really enjoy Olympic Day – I know I will be enjoying it, and I hope to see you guys at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.”