On the beam: Gymnast Do Thi Ngan Thuong performs in the women's beam event at the National Gymnastics Championship in Ha Noi. Thuong is set to compete in the 2012 London Olympics qualifying round. (Photo: VNS)
VietNamNet Bridge – Gymnasts Do Thi Ngan Thuong and Pham Phuoc Hung will have their eyes set on the remaining spots at the 2012 London Olympics as they compete in the qualifying event in England on January 10-13.

The event is expected to draw 38 athletes from 30 nations competing for 27 places.

At 21, Thuong has contributed greatly to the remarkable victories of the Vietnamese gymnastics team when she won five gold medals at three consecutive Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

In 2008, Thuong blazed a new path for Vietnamese gymnast by becoming one of the first to compete in the Olympics. When she was then banned for doping violations, however, her career took a tragic downturn.

Following eight months of non-participation, Thuong won two gold medals at the 26th SEA Games in Indonesia alongside fellow athlete Hung, who palmed two golds.

Viet Nam's gymnastics will have an official place in London next summer thanks to the efforts of 20-year-old Phan Thi Ha Thanh. The Hai Phong City girl won a bronze medal at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Tokyo in October to become the first Vietnamese gymnast to secure a direct ticket to London.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News