(VOV) - The national flag of Vietnam was hoisted at the Olympic Park in London on July 21, marking the start of Vietnamese athletes’ competitions at the Summer Games.

The Vietnamese delegation at the ceremony was led by Lam Quang Thanh, Deputy Director of the General Department of Sports and Physical Training.The national flag of the Philippines was also raised at the event. Addressing the function, the Mayor of the Olympic Park welcomed officials and athletes from Vietnam and the Philippines to the Games, adding that he hopes the athletes will perform well and bring glory to their countries.The Mayor invited Thanh to the stage to participate in the flag flying ceremony, which was raised to the Vietnamese national anthem.

Ten out of the 18 Vietnamese athletes are now in London preparing for gymnastics, track-and-field, weight-lifting, rowing and judo events. The eight remaining athletes who will compete in fencing, badminton, swimming, shooting, wrestling, and taekwondo will fly to London in the coming days.The opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games will be staged on the evening of July 27.