State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on July 22 sent a letter to Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide congratulating the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympic Games, which will take place at the National Stadium today (July 23).
| President Nguyen Xuan Phuc. |
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In the letter, Phuc said he understands that for the solemn opening ceremony, the Prime Minister and the people of Japan had to overcome many obstacles and difficulties, especially the unprecedented impact of the Covid-19 outbreak.
“I am pleased to extend to you, a close friend of the Vietnamese people, my warm congratulations for the organization of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympic Games – a major sporting event is expected and followed in Vietnam and around the world,” he wrote.
Phuc expressed his wish that the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympic Games will be a great success.
“The burning of Olympic torch in Tokyo will be a great encouragement to sports lovers about the bravery and strength of people in the face of the pandemic, and also a noble symbol of the resilient will and spirit of Japan - a strong nation, a prosperous developed country in the world and an extensive strategic partner of Vietnam.”
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the opening ceremony would be shortened in comparison with the original plan. However, basic activities such as marching sports delegations or lighting the torch to kick off the Games will still be carried out.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics will be officially open at 6pm tonight (July 23) in Vietnam time. Before the opening ceremony, there were four sports organized including football, softball, archery, and rowing.
Japanese Emperor Naruhito is expected to announce the opening of the event. The ceremony will have the presence of leaders of 15 countries and territories, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Jill Biden, wife of US President Joe Biden.
According to Kyodo News, the Tokyo Olympics will be open under unprecedented conditions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, with many questioning the value of holding the games while still yearning to see inspired sporting moments. Involving about 11,000 athletes from over 200 countries and regions, venues will be without spectators for the first Olympics in history.
Vietnamese archer Do Thi Anh Nguyet, 2nd from left, in a training session in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: VNA |
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Vietnamese athletes on July 23 began competing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Archer Do Thi Anh Nguyet was the first Vietnamese athlete to compete at the Games. This is also the first time that Vietnamese archers have qualified for the global sporting event, reports the Vietnam News Agency.
The Vietnamese sports delegation consists of 43 members, including 18 athletes competing in 11 competitions including shooting, weightlifting, badminton, swimming, and boxing.
The Vietnam Television will screen the Tokyo 2020 Olympics for free.
The event will last until August 8.
