Paralympians land in Paris ready to take medals

Paralympics 

Vietnamese Paralympic delegation are determined to have medals from the Paris Games. Photo of Việt Nam Sports Team

PARIS — The Vietnamese sports delegation has arrived safe and sound in Paris with athletes eager and ready for the 17th Paralympic Games.

Chef-de-mission Nguyễn Hồng Minh said that the competitors arranged to stay in a convenient area near the Athletes Village’s dining hall and have already enjoyed some delicious meals there.

At the Paris Games, there are seven Vietnamese competitors competing in three sports of powerlifting, swimming and athletics.

They have been putting in some hard practice before taking part in impairment classifications in the next few days, which is mandatory check before entering the official competitions. 

Following the schedule, swimmers Đỗ Thanh Hải and Lê Tiến Đạt will be the first to compete in the men’s 100m breaststroke SB5 category on September 1 at the Paris La Defense Arena. If they swim well they will take part in the finals the following day. 

Runner Phạm Nguyễn Khánh Minh will take part in the men’s 400m T12 heat at the Stade de France on the morning of September 4, with the semi-finals on the same day in the afternoon.

Also on September 4, powerlifter Lê Văn Công will vie for gold in the men’s 49kg class and his teammate Nguyễn Bình An will seek his first Paralympic medal in the men’s 54kg pool at the La Chapelle Arena.

A day later, female lifters Đặng Thị Linh Phượng will take part in the 50kg category and veteran Châu Hoàng Tuyết Loan will take charge of victory in the 55kg discipline.

The Paralympics, which will take place between August 28 and September 8, will bring together 4,400 athletes from around the world, competing across 22 sports.

The opening ceremony will be held on August 28 at the Place de la Concorde and the closing ceremony will take place in the Stade de France.

Việt Nam has a target to bring back two medals from the Games, with former champion Công, who is the current world Paralympic record holder, taking on the main responsibility following his silver medal from Tokyo. VNS