(VOVworld) - The ASEAN Secretariat on Wednesday hosted a recognition ceremony for ASEAN athletes who competed at the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

ASEAN athletes and officials at the honoring ceremony (Photo: asean.org)

Representatives from ASEAN Missions and partners including Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, and Brazil attended the event.

Olympians and paralympians from ASEAN member states won a total of 49 medals, half of which were secured in badminton, weightlifting, and boccia.

Speaking on behalf of all ASEAN athletes, Hoang Xuan Vinh, Olympic gold medalist from Vietnam, said: “Each competition is an opportunity to make new friends. I believe that there will be more achievements in the future that can make us, ASEAN, stand out in the world.”