Swimmer Nguyễn Huy Hoàng will carry Việt Nam flag at the SEA Games 31. VNA/VNS Photo Minh Quyết

Thanh Hà

HÀ NỘI — Swimmer Nguyễn Huy Hoàng will be Việt Nam’s flag bearer at the SEA Games 31’s opening ceremony on May 12.

Hoàng was initially chosen to read the athlete’s oath at the event, while the flag holder was fencer Vũ Thành An.

However, the Games Organising Committee decided to make a switch.

Tokyo Olympian Hoàng, who will compete and defend three titles this Games, will take the honour while An will read the oath.

Runner Quách Thị Lan will light the Games torch.

Hoàng is one of the best swimmers in Việt Nam. He won both the Youth Olympic Games and a silver in the Asian Games in 2018, and four golds at two previous SEA Games.

An is currently the top ASEAN fencer in the sabre event. He won five golds in the SEA Games 28, 29 and 30.

Lan is the Asian champion in both women’s 400m and 400m hurdles. She has won four SEA Games medals from SEA Games 28 to date.

International muay referee Phan Thị Ngọc Linh will make the referee’s oath, instead of a volleyball referee as originally planned.

The organisers also added more athletes in the flag and torch relay possessions. Retired swimmer Nguyễn Thị Ánh Viên, who was the best athlete at the two previous Games, was invited but turned down the opportunity for personal reasons.