(VOVworld) – The 2016 Summer Olympics will open on August 5 at Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The global mega-games attract more than 10,500 athletes from 206 countries and territories. Vietnam sets targets to win medals at the Olympics.


A send-off ceremony for the Vietnamese athletes to 2016 Rio Olympics

Vietnam’s flag was hoisted at the Olympic Village in Rio de Janeiro, signaling the presence of Vietnamese competitors at the world’s biggest sport event.

The Vietnamese delegation has 50 members, including 23 athletes, the biggest number of athletes Vietnam has ever sent to an Olympics. They will compete in 22 events of 10 sports.

Tran Duc Phan, Head of the Vietnamese delegation to the Olympics, says: “We have thoroughly prepared for the Olympics and focused on the sports in which we surely can win medals. But in sports competitions we also need a luck element. We hope to win medals in weightlifting, shooting, gymnastics, and fencing.”

Fencer Nguyen Thi Nhu Hoa, judoka Van Ngoc Tu, and two shooters, Tran Quoc Cuong and Hoang Xuan Vinh, will compete on August 6.

Fencer Vu Thanh An, who was chosen to hold the Vietnamese flag in the opening ceremony, expresses his determination: “Competitions at the Olympics are fierce. But I will do my best to surpass my limit. I desire to win medals.”

The Olympic Games will feature 28 sports and athletes will compete in 306 events. Rio de Janeiro will become the first South American city to host the Summer Olympics.

Vietnamese taekwondo athlete Tran Hieu Ngan won a silver medal at 2000 Olympics in Sydney and weightlifter Hoang Anh Tuan won a silver medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. At the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics Vietnamese athletes are determined to win for the nation.