VietNamNet Bridge – After the Vietnamese sports delegation went to the UK for the Olympics last week, the delegation of disabled athletes organized a launching ceremony to the Paralympic Games in HCM City yesterday, July 18.

The delegation consists of 11 athletes and four coaches, led by Mr. Pham Van Tuan, Vice chief of the General Department of Sports and Physical Training.

Vietnamese disabled sportsmen will compete at three sports: track and field (three athletes), swimming (4) and weight-lifting (4).

The delegation left HCM City on the evening of July 18, to Ireland for a three-week training course (July 19-August 9). The course is sponsored by an Irish partner.

During their time in Ireland, they will participate in the Morton Pre Games for the disabled, which will start on July 25 in Dublin.

After that, they will go to London on August 10. They will stay at the Bradford College to prepare for the Paralympics and during the games.

This is the third time Vietnam sends its representatives to the Paralympic Games (2004, 2008, 2012).

The General Department of Sports and Tourism does not set specific goal for the team but if athletes win medals, they will receive valuable rewards: VND300 million ($15,000) for a gold medal, VND200 million ($10,000) for a silver medal and VND100 million ($5,000) for a bronze medal.

In addition, the HCM City Department of Sports and Physical Training presented VND30 million ($1,500) to each member of the delegation, who come from HCM City. Most of the members are HCM City’s athletes and coaches.

The Paralympic Games are a major international multi-sport event where athletes with a physical disability compete; this includes athletes with mobility disabilities, amputations, blindness, and cerebral palsy.

There are Winter and Summer Paralympic Games, which are held immediately following their respective Olympic Games. All Paralympic Games are governed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

Compiled by Nam Nguyen