The grand opening ceremony of SEA Games 31 held at the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi on May 12 (Photo: VNA) The article said many sports tournaments had to be postponed or even canceled in the past two years because of the pandemic. SEA Games 31 also faced a similar risk. However, the host country Vietnam has been doing all its best to ensure that the event take place safely but still with a strong sports spirit.
The determination of Vietnam was shown partly in the grand opening ceremony of SEA Games 31 held at the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi on May 12, which was joined by thousands of athletes and unremitting applause of audiences.
Besides Vietnam's efforts, athletes were undeterred by disruptions, it noted.
The article said that the past two years has certainly been a tumultuous period for the athletes of this region. Some have quit from their chosen sports amid all the uncertainties, and moved on to their next careers. Others have suffered dips in forms as their training regimens got disrupted.
Yet, there are also many debutants at this Hanoi Games. Singapore, for instance, has 243 debutants out of its 427 participating athletes - more than half of its travelling contingent, the article noted, adding that amid the COVID turmoil, these athletes have seized their opportunities in qualifying for this event.
So no matter how much the Games has been affected by COVID, it is easy to still be swept up by its distinct charms, the article said./.
VNA
