Following a strong showing at the SEA Games earlier this month, Vietnam has announced that it will send up to 15 athletes to the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games next year in Brazil.
The Vietnamese representatives will take part in shooting, track-and-field, gymnastics, fencing and weightlifting events, reports Vietnam News.
Four of the 15 hopefuls have already qualified in their respective categories.
They are marksmen Hoang Xuan Vinh and Tran Quoc Cuong, swimmer Nguyen Thi Anh Vien and runner Nguyen Thi Huyen.
“Vien is set to compete in three events of 200m individual medley (IM), 400m IM and 400m free style. Huyen will take part in the women's 400m and 400m-hurdle events.” according to the news wire.
With 73 gold medals, Vietnam ranked third out of 11 counties competing at the Southeast Asian Games that took place in Singapore from June 5 – 16.
Vietnam sent 392 athletes to compete in 28 out of 36 sports, finishing with 73 gold, 53 silver and 60 bronze medals.
Thailand led the gold medal count with 95, followed by Singapore at 84.
Vietnam has competed in every Olympic Games since 1952 with the exception of 1976 and 1984, registering a total of two silver medals.
[Photo via Olympics.org]
