Schedule change puts Vietnam’s top runner in big trouble at SEA Games

Nguyen Thi Oanh registered for four events at the tournament, including the 5,000 m run at 5:35 p.m. on Monday, 3,000 m hurdles at 5:50 p.m. on Tuesday, 1,500 m at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday and 10,000 m run at 5 p.m. a day later. On the first day, Oanh easily won the 5,000 m gold medal with a time of 17 minutes and 0.33 seconds.

Unlike previous SEA Games, this year’s schedule is updated by the organizers on the morning of each competition day. On Tuesday morning, Oanh received a schedule change from the organizers, who put the 1,500 m run and 3,000 m hurdles right next to each other. In particular, Oanh will compete in the 1,500 m run at 5:30 p.m. and the 3,000 m hurdles only 20 minutes later.

According to experts, this break is too short and it will be nearly impossible for Oanh’s stamina to fully recover, which can easily affect her performance and increase the risk of injury.

At SEA Games 31 last year, Oanh finished first in the 1,500 m run with 4 minutes 14.98 seconds. At the 3,000 m hurdles, she finished after 9 minutes 52.44 seconds, a new record of SEA Games.

Oanh is currently the best middle-distance runner in Southeast Asia. She attended the first SEA Games in 2013 and won a silver medal in the 3,000 m hurdles. She has dominated this event for the last three SEA Games editions.

The 27-year-old also won the bronze medal in the 3,000 m hurdles at the 2018 Asian Games and the 1,500 m gold medal at the 2023 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships.