Olympics

Phạm Thị Huệ (left) will represent Việt Nam's rowing at the 2024 Paris Olympics. VNS Photo Hoàng Linh

Thanh Hà

One hundred metres to go, 50m, 10m, and finish.

Phạm Thị Huệ tried her best to row the distance as fast as possible. And, finally, she made the top five of the women's singles sculls event in Chungju, South Korea, qualifying for the upcoming Paris Olympics.

Huệ could not hold back her tears when taking an Olympic ticket from the organisers of the World Rowing Asian and Oceanian Olympic and Paralympic Qualification Regatta.

She had waited for the moment for eight years. Finally, her dream has come true. She will travel to Paris this summer.

"Really, all the fatigue from competition has been relieved. I was so happy and cried with joy and happiness," Huệ told Việt Nam News when she landed back in Việt Nam on April 22.

Phạm Thị Huệ seen in action at the 2021 SEA Games in Việt Nam. She won three gold medals. VNS Photo Hoàng Linh

"My tears kept pouring down, emotionally and happily. April 21 was a meaningful day for me. I have worked hard for the Olympics. I have earned my own ticket. It was such a sweet result."

Olympic chaser

Huệ is one of the most experienced members of the national rowing team.

Now aged 34, she has been practising the sport for almost 16 years. Under her belt are hundreds of medals from domestic and international competitions.

She is a regular champion at the regional SEA Games with six gold medals, and has also marked her name in continental competition, with two silvers and three bronzes in the Asian Games.

The rower has qualified for the global largest sporting event twice in the past.

Her outstanding performance helped her to be named in the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016 and Tokyo Games in 2020.

Phạm Thị Huệ (third, right) and her coaches and teammates after she earned a spot at the Paris Games. Photo of Việt Nam Sports Team

However, due to regulations on the number of participants per country, Huệ had to stay home and watch her teammates competing on TV.

"It would not be true if I said I was not sad and did not regret losing my opportunities. Every achievement resulted from my own effort after a long journey," Huệ said.

"However, I was pleased that my teammates were chosen for the Olympics. They were younger than me and had potential. They are the next young generation of Việt Nam rowing."

In an interview three years ago, when Huệ missed her second Olympics, she said at her age it would be a tough task to make it another time.

After the 19th Asian Games last September in China, Huệ won the continental medal but it was not time to stop. She still had an Olympic dream to pursue.

On April 21, she did an incredible job making the impossible possible.

Dream in hand

"My teammates and I have prepared well for this qualification. We practised for physique, technique and mentality. I asked myself to train hard, and beat the fear of not qualifying. I competed my best, although I knew I was not as strong as eight years ago. But I still have enthusiasm, determination and stamina at the highest level," Huệ said.

Phạm Thị Huệ (left) and teammates compete in the 19th Asian Games last September in China. She bagged three bronzes. VNS Photo Hoàng Linh

"During the race, I kept rowing harder and stronger to achieve the best speed. The Olympics was a strong motivation for me to overcome fatigue and finish as quickly as possible."

The veteran thanked her coaches, teammates and family for their strong support, saying that without them she could not grab success.

"I competed in this qualifier not only for me, but also for 100 million Vietnamese. I fought for national pride. People's support helped me a lot," she said.

Phạm Thị Huệ shares her happiness of a champion with supporters at the 31st SEA Games. VNS Photo Hoàng Linh

"A big thank you to my team and coaching board. I want to especially thank my husband, who wholeheartedly encouraged me to develop my career. He takes care of the housework and children as I am away from home training and competing most of the year."

The Paris Olympics will be held from July 26 to August 11. Huệ has three months to improve to be ready to compete against the world's strongest rowers.

"My physique is my weak point that could make me lose to my rivals. But I think that if I work to accumulate my inner power every day, while strictly following the coaches' instructions, I will have the best preparation for Paris," she said. VNS