Nguyen Huy Hoang has been chosen to carry the Vietnamese flag at the opening ceremony of the Asian Games next month in China. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) — Top swimmer Nguyen Huy Hoang will beVietnam's flag bearer at the 19th Asian Games opening ceremony next month inChina.
The Sports Authority of Vietnam has chosen the region's topswimmer to take the honour as he was one of the best athletes of Vietnam lastyear, winning three golds and one silver at the 32nd SEA Games in May inCambodia.
It is not the first time that Hoang has carried the flag. He didthe job at the Phnom Penh Games and the 31st SEA Games on home soil last year.
Hoang is on a long training course in Hungary in preparation forthe Games. He will return home early next month and join the delegation headingto China on September 20.
Hoang will compete in the men's 1,500m event, where he won asilver at the previous Games in Jakarta in 2018.
This year, as his number one rival Sun Yang of the host nation cannotcompete because of a doping ban, Hoang is expected to top the podium.
Currently, Vietnamese officials have taken 30 samples for dopingtests while all athletes have completed their mandatory certificates of dopingby WADA.
Among the 31 teams that will compete in the Games, many are intheir intensive training courses locally and internationally.
The final list of the Vietnam delegation will be announced laterthis month. They will target up to five gold medals./.
