Swimmer Nguyen Thi Anh Vien is the only athlete in the Southeast Asian region to win three official berths to compete at the Olympic Games in Brazil.

Her first ticket came after swimming 4min 42.60sec in the women's 400m IM event at the Arena Pro Swim Series in the US last November.

Vien was successful at the recent SEA Games, and grabbed her second and third spots in the 200m IM (2:13.53) and 400m free style (4:08.66).

According to coach Dang Anh Tuan, Vien needs one more A standard to register to compete in multiple events at the Rio de Janeiro Games.

Viet Nam also have two athletes who have passed the Olympic B standard.

They are Hoang Quy Phuoc in the 100m and 200m freestyle and Lam Quang Nhat in the 1,500m free style.

However the International Swimming Federation limits the number of athletes to 900, so the B standard holders are not ensured of their berths.

Athletes will have a chance to beat the A standard time at the World Championships in Russia beginning on August 2. 

Anh Vien, Ha Thanh receive Labor Order second class

The Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism and General Directorate of Sport yesterday held a ceremony to honor Vietnamese athletes and coaches who get best achievements at the 28th SEA Games in Singapore.

Accordingly, swimmer Nguyen Thi Anh Vien and gymnast Phan Thi Ha Thanh were awarded Labor Order second class.

25 athletes and coaches received Labor Order third class. They are Lam Quang Nhat, Dinh Phuong Thanh, Nguyen Tien Nhat and Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuc. Besides, 56 others athletes were certificated by Prime Minister.

At the ceremony, Minister Hoang Tuan Anh stressed that Anh Vien’s achievements at the 28th SEA Games is considered as an outstanding model for the young generation.

After receiving Labor Order second class, Anh Vien flied to the United States to take part in new training course.

Girls to start campaign in Ha Noi

The Asian Football Confederation U14 Girls' Regional Championship for the ASEAN zone will kick off today in Ha Noi with the participation of eight teams, one less than scheduled after Indonesia were banned by FIFA.

In Group A, Myanmar will play Cambodia in the first match, which will be followed by Thailand vs Laos.

Speaking at a meeting yesterday in Ha Noi, coach Nu Nu Khine Win said his players had trained for the Asian event, and hoped they learnt from the experience for the future.

Warakorn Chitthiang, assistant coach of Thailand, agreed, saying that it was a good chance for players to perfect their skills and grow into professionals.

Group B will start in the afternoon as the hosts face the Philippines. The next match will see Singapore vs Malaysia.

It is the third time in a row Viet Nam have been awarded the right to host the championship, which will finish on Sunday. 

Kesley leaves Dong Nai, joins Khanh Hoa

Striker Huynh Alves Kesley found a new destination at Sanna Khanh Hoa after ending his contract with Dong Nai recently.

Kesley will start with his new jersey this weekend when Khanh Hoa play QNK Quang Nam away.

After 12 rounds, Khanh Hoa are in fifth place with 21 points.

Dong Nai, after saying good-bye to Kesley, signed a contract with Nguyen Hang Tcheuko Minh, hoping the naturalised midfielder would play a role in lifting their ranking.

Dong Nai remain at 13th out of 14 teams in the table with nine points.

They will meet former champions SHB Da Nang on Sunday. 

VNS