SEA Games 31 was a great success, PM says
VOV.VN - The 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) was great success, helping spread the message of friendship, solidarity, and cooperation in the region, said Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said in his closing address on May 23 evening.
“On behalf of the leaders of the Party and State of Vietnam, I declare the closing of the games, but the flame of faith, triumph, friendship solidarity, peace and development in Southeast Asia will stay lit forever,” said the PM.
Meanwhile, Vietnamese Sports Minister Nguyen Van Hung, in his remarks, noted that the success of SEA Games 31 not only demonstrates the great effort of the host country (Vietnam) and the enthusiastic support of countries in the region, but testifies to the good future development of regional sports, which are gradually approaching the level of the continent and the world.
Minister Nguyen Van Hung and Hanoi Mayor Chu Ngoc Anh presented awards to outstanding athletes, including Nguyen Thi Oanh of Vietnam who won 3 golds in athletics, Joshua Robert Atkinson of the Philippines who clinched four golds in athletics, Nguyen Huy Hoang of Vietnam who took five golds and broke two SEA Games records in swimming, and Quah Jing Wen of Singapore who was given six golds and broke a SEA Games record in swimming.
The closing ceremony themed ‘Gather to Shine’ was divided into three parts that highlight the community solidarity, friendship and cooperation, as well as efforts to shine by all Southeast Asian countries.
The flame of SEA Games 31 went dark, and the flags of the games 31 and the Southeast Asian Games Federation were lowered.
Minister Hung, who is also head of the Vietnam Olympic Committee, handed over the SEA Games flag to a representative of the Olympic Committee of Cambodia that is scheduled to host the games in 2023.
SEA Games 31 took place in Hanoi and 11 neighbouring localities from May 12-23, with regional athletes competing in 40 sports. Organisers presented a total of 1,759 medals of all kinds, including 525 golds, 522 silvers and 712 bronzes to athletes, with 30 new SEA Games records set this time.
Vietnam topped the medal table with 205 golds, surpassing the record of 194 golds set by Indonesia at the 1997 SEA Games in Jakarta.