HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese powerlifter Lê Văn Công will enjoy free AirAsia flights for life, after winning a gold medal at the ongoing Rio Paralympics in Brazil.

AirAsia chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes has announced that all Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ Paralympics gold medalists will receive free flights for life. Silver medalists will receive five years of flights free of charge. Bronze medalists will receive three years of free flights.

“The Summer Olympics were amazing. But the Paralympics have shown me what determination is all about," he wrote on Instagram. "Thanks guys and gals for giving all of us the spirit to never give up, despite all the obstacles in front of us."

Vietnamese athletes Võ Thanh Tùng (silver medal in swimming), Cao Ngọc Hùng (bronze medal in javelin throwing) and Đặng Thị Linh Phượng (bronze medal in powerlifting) will all receive AirAsia free flights.

Regional recipients include Singapore’s swimmer Yip Pin Xiu, long jumper Abdul Latif Romly and shot put thrower Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli, sprinter Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi. Thailand’s wheelchair racers Pongsakorn Paeyo and Prawat Wahoram and its mixed pair boccia team will also receive free airfare.

AirAsia also provided free flights to Rio Olympics winners from the Southeast Asian region. — VNS