Badminton

Lê Đức Phát is the second badminton player of Việt Nam qualified for the Paris Olympics. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI -- Việt Nam has secured an additional Olympic spot after the Badminton World Federation announced the final shortlist on April 30.

The spot goes to Lê Đức Phát in the men's singles category, marking his first time participating in the world's largest sporting event.

The news has been circulating within the community for a week, but Phát himself admitted that he was also eagerly awaiting the official announcement.

In the latest world rankings published on April 30, which are crucial for identifying Paris Olympians, Phát ranked No. 74, equivalent to No. 34 in the Race to Paris table.

This position qualifies him as one of the 38 male players competing in France this summer.

The other slot for Việt Nam belongs to Nguyễn Thùy Linh, who ranks No. 17 in the Race to Paris ranking's women's singles category. Her place has been secured for weeks, marking her second consecutive appearance at the Olympics.

Currently, Việt Nam has 10 qualified players. Among them are cyclist Nguyễn Thị Thật, markswomen Trịnh Thu Vinh and Lê Thị Mộng Tuyền, boxer Võ Thị Kim Ánh, swimmer Nguyễn Huy Hoàng, weightlifter Trịnh Văn Vinh, canoeist Nguyễn Thị Hương, and rower Phạm Thị Huệ.

Việt Nam has set a target of securing between 12 to 15 Olympic slots. Athletes in martial arts, athletics, table tennis, gymnastics, and boxing are currently preparing for their qualification rounds in the next few weeks, with hopes of achieving this goal.

The 2024 Paris Olympics will commence on July 26-7 and conclude on August 11. Việt Nam aims to secure at least one medal. VNS