31st SEA Games Officially Opens in Vietnam After Pandemic-Related Delays
The 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games officially opened yesterday, May 12, at the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam, after it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With more than 5,000 athletes, including Olympic champions, 11 nations are aiming to get a medal in this prestigious tournament.
Olympic pole vaulter and Philippine flag bearer EJ Obiena lead the Filipino delegation of officials and athletes in the parade of nations.
“I’m [not just] representing athletes competing in the SEA Games, but also 100 million Filipinos back home,” he said. Obiena, the No.6 pole vaulter in the world, is looking to defend his 2019 gold medal.
Olympian Hidilyn Diaz will also participate and is eyeing for another weightlifting trophy after getting a gold in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Here are some photos of the opening ceremony from the SEA Games official website:
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