Culture - Sports

Runner Lan, swimmer Hoang to fly the flag for Vietnam at Tokyo Games

For the first time in Olympic history, national flags will be carried by two athletes at the Games, and runner Quach Thi Lan and swimmer Nguyen Huy Hoang have the honour of carrying the Vietnamese flag at the upcoming Tokyo Games’ opening ceremony.
Runner Lan, swimmer Hoang to fly the flag for Vietnam at Tokyo Games ảnh 1Quach Thi Lan is selected as co-Olympic flag bearer for Vietnam at the Tokyo Games. (Photo: baothanhhoa.vn)
Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - For the first time in Olympic history, nationalflags will be carried by two athletes at the Games, and runner Quach Thi Lanand swimmer Nguyen Huy Hoang have the honour of carrying the Vietnamese flag atthe upcoming Tokyo Games’ opening ceremony.

Thenew tradition, with every nation to be led out by both female and maleathletes, is part of the International Olympic Committee's efforts to pushgender equality.

Thehonour is bestowed upon athletes the Vietnam Olympic Committee believes bestembody the spirit and quality of the Games.

Lanand Hoang will both make their debut at the planet's biggest sporting eventthis summer and lead a team of 43 members who will vie for medals in 11 sports.

SwimmerHoang has qualified for both men’s 800m and 1,500m freestyle events.
Runner Lan, swimmer Hoang to fly the flag for Vietnam at Tokyo Games ảnh 2Nguyen Huy Hoang has been named one of Vietnam's two flag bearers for the opening ceremony at the Tokyo Olympics. (Photo: sggp.org.vn)
Hewas the first Vietnamese athlete to book an Olympic slot after he passed the Astandard for the 800m class (7min 52.74sec) at the world championship in July2019 in the Republic of Korea.

Fivemonths later, the 2018 Youth Olympic gold medalist set a new record (14min58.14sec) in the 30th SEA Games’ 1,500m and took a second Olympics slot.

Meanwhile,Lan will be the only Vietnamese runner in Tokyo after receiving a wild card.The Asian championship and Asian Games winner will compete in the women’s 400mhurdles.

"It'ssuch an honour and a privilege," Lan told Viet Nam News.

"It'sone of the greatest things that has ever happened to me. It's great torepresent my country in a sport at the world's biggest sporting event. It willbe a strong push and encouragement for me ahead of my run."

Lan’stournament will begin on July 31 and she will face world record holder SydneyMcLaughlin of the US who set the new standard of 51.90sec last month during theUS Olympic Track and Field Trials.

The26-year-old Lan from Thanh Hoa province is the only runner from ASEAN and oneof two from Asia in this category.

“Itis priceless to have a chance to run again powerful opponents. Coming to Tokyowithout any pressure I believe that I could overcome my limits, making it anunforgettable memory in my career,” said Lan.

Anotherfirst for these Olympics is athletes will now put their medals around their ownnecks to protect against COVID-19.

Medalswill be on a tray and then athletes will take the medal themselves. There willbe no handshakes and hugs during the medal ceremony.

Previously,the medals were presented by an IOC member or a leading official in a sport’sgoverning body.

Vietnam’s delegation will leave for Tokyo on July 18. The Olympics willbegin on July 23 and close on August 8 with all events held behind closeddoors./.
VNA
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