Athletics is one of the key sports that could bag gold medals for Vietnam team at the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games). The athletes aim to win between 10 and 12 gold medals at upcoming 19th SEA Games to be held in Malaysia from August 19 to 31.

Le Tu Chinh is called "Queen of Speed"  

The Vietnamese team won 2 gold and 2 silver, ranking 5th in the medal tally of the Asian Athletics Championships held early last month in India. Nguyen Thi Huyen and Bui Thi Thu Thao scooped gold medals in the women’s 400m running and long jump respectively. This success has consolidated the athletes’’ confidence to achieve higher. 

Tran Duc Phan, Deputy Director of the General Department of Sports and Head of the Vietnamese team at Seagames 29, said “Athletics and swimming have recently been invested in a great deal and our athletes are capable of winning win top spots at regional and global competitions. As athletics is a basic sport of the Asian Games and Olympic Games, we will pay much more attention to it.”

Mr. Phan said a young generation of athletics has been prepared for the future “There are rising stars such as speed runner Tu Chinh, long jumper Trong, and athlete Nguyen Van Dong. All of them are young, but competent.”

Duong Duc Thuy, Head of the Athletics Department of the General Department of Sports, said the goal of winning 12 gold medals at the upcoming Seagames is within reach. 

“Our overall goal for this year’s Seagames is not as high as the previous event because some key sportspeople have retired. But young athletes will substitute for them. For example, Tu Chinh is able to replace Vu Thi Huong. It’s more important to capitalize on the athletes’ strong points and fitness”, said Mr Thuy. 

Nguyen Trong Ho, Director of the Top-Notch Sports Department and former chief coach of the Vietnamese Athletics Team, said  Vietnam will continue to dominate the women’s 4x400m relay, the 400m, and 400m hurdles events at the 29th Seagames.

“Following the era of 400m runner Nguyen Thi Tinh, we have 3 athletes who can win gold, namely Quach Thi Lan, Nguyen Thi Huyen, and Nguyen Thi Oanh. They were born in 1995 and 1996 and their achievements are comparable with other Asian athletes.” said Mr Ho.

Vietnamese athletes won 11 gold medals at the Seagames in Singapore 2 years ago and are determined to achieve their goal of 12 gold medals at this year’s games. 

VOV5