Cambodian athletes and trainers taking a picture with King Norodom Sihamoni (Photo: Cambodge Soir Hebdo)26 August 2008
By Nhim Sophal
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the original article in French
Cambodia’s participation of the Beijing Olympics was very much appreciated in spite of the absence of medals. The efforts made by the Chinese hosts to welcome Khmer athletes were judged satisfactory.
Hem Thon, the swimming coach, indicated that the conditions for the preparation of the athletes were much better than those in previous games. The visit of King Sihamoni, who was visiting China, to the sport residence, was very appreciated. The royal family donated $600 to each athlete. Hem Thon reported about the king during his visit to the athlete residence: “The king was happy to meet the athletes during this world competition. He wished them great success and he also wished that they earn an important spot in this international arena.”
Cambodia which never won a single medal yet in any Olympic games, qualified 4 athletes to the competition: two swimmers and two runners. As for swimming, Hem Thon saluted the performance of Cambodian swimmers who are making rapid progress. Hem Thon Ponloeu broke his own record in the 50-m free-style swimming in 27.39 seconds, whereas the Thai swimmer made it in 28 seconds. Hem Thon Vitinin also broke her own record in the 100-m free-style swimming in 31.48 seconds, beating Thailand (32.14 seconds) and Japan (32.48 seconds). “The training method is the right one. With such a progress of the performances, we hope to win medals in 2011, during the SEA Games,” Hem Thon explained.
For his part, Hem Bunting –Cambodia’s best marathon runner who earned two medals during the last SEA Games in Thailand by beating his own personal records by 7 minutes – ended the Olympic marathon in 2:33 hours, about half an hour after the Kenyan Wansiru Samuel Kamau, the world champion. Bunting, who is participating the Olympics games for the first time, showed his perseverance and did not quit the race, unlike 25 other runners from developing countries. Hem Bunting placed himself 73 among the 76 runners who completed the marathon. “I cannot maintain the same performance as during the SEA Games because I have muscle problems in my foot. Furthermore, the trail in Beijing included 20 turns, this slowed me down and they worsened my muscle problem,” Hem Bunting said. Nevertheless, he acknowledged his defeat, but he considered it as an experience for his upcoming competitions. He also failed during his first participation at the SEA Games, before finally winning his two medals. Hem Bunting believed that the king was nevertheless satisfied with his performance.
In the future, Hem Bunting said that he will train intensely so that he can shine in the international arena.
Hem Thon, the swimming coach, indicated that the conditions for the preparation of the athletes were much better than those in previous games. The visit of King Sihamoni, who was visiting China, to the sport residence, was very appreciated. The royal family donated $600 to each athlete. Hem Thon reported about the king during his visit to the athlete residence: “The king was happy to meet the athletes during this world competition. He wished them great success and he also wished that they earn an important spot in this international arena.”
Cambodia which never won a single medal yet in any Olympic games, qualified 4 athletes to the competition: two swimmers and two runners. As for swimming, Hem Thon saluted the performance of Cambodian swimmers who are making rapid progress. Hem Thon Ponloeu broke his own record in the 50-m free-style swimming in 27.39 seconds, whereas the Thai swimmer made it in 28 seconds. Hem Thon Vitinin also broke her own record in the 100-m free-style swimming in 31.48 seconds, beating Thailand (32.14 seconds) and Japan (32.48 seconds). “The training method is the right one. With such a progress of the performances, we hope to win medals in 2011, during the SEA Games,” Hem Thon explained.
For his part, Hem Bunting –Cambodia’s best marathon runner who earned two medals during the last SEA Games in Thailand by beating his own personal records by 7 minutes – ended the Olympic marathon in 2:33 hours, about half an hour after the Kenyan Wansiru Samuel Kamau, the world champion. Bunting, who is participating the Olympics games for the first time, showed his perseverance and did not quit the race, unlike 25 other runners from developing countries. Hem Bunting placed himself 73 among the 76 runners who completed the marathon. “I cannot maintain the same performance as during the SEA Games because I have muscle problems in my foot. Furthermore, the trail in Beijing included 20 turns, this slowed me down and they worsened my muscle problem,” Hem Bunting said. Nevertheless, he acknowledged his defeat, but he considered it as an experience for his upcoming competitions. He also failed during his first participation at the SEA Games, before finally winning his two medals. Hem Bunting believed that the king was nevertheless satisfied with his performance.
In the future, Hem Bunting said that he will train intensely so that he can shine in the international arena.
12 comments:
Bann sko-al Srok Chen dae!
Baan Médai krachork sa-oy
muoy mneak.
Even no medai no problem. At least, we can compete with other countries.
Next time we will be better.
11:16 AM
Perhaps next time the government will need to appropriately equip these athletes for the competition.
perhaps next 300 years time the hun sen will do it better
POURK A POU KERE CHE BAN TERE CHE LEAK MUK HEIY POURN NOV KRAO PROTES.
HEAN CHEGN MUK CHE KNUNG SROK...PHAUNG! PHAUNG! PHAUNG... DEK PHA NGA POURS CHHA KERE.... hahahaaaaaaa.....
What about using the money you benefit from the Angkor Wat and start training these athletes for the next olympics, yet save some money to equip these athletes.
But the government will be toppled less than three years from now.
Just watch!
I would not agree more than what 3:20 said. I hope to see the govt. toppled the sooner so that we can have more conerned, committed government for the people, but not the govt. willing to do anything to maintain their interests: killing compatriots, never accept the fact of their wrong doing, promoting impunity, secure safety for YOUN living throughout Cambodia, and you name the rest!!!!
My beloved 3:20PM!
Your proposal is patriotically and magnificently correct, but unfortunately, the million dollars' benefits from Angkor Wat is always for the people of miserable Khmers. Who is collecting these dollar every dat?
Youn secretly collects from Sok Kong's bank, Siam, and CPP. Once agian, we Khmer are getting none!
Correction: is not always for the people of miserable Khmers!
Youn collect openly via Sok Kong!10:32PM.
Ah Hun Chea chis Caddilac and Cambodai soldier wearing fliflop and no food in defending frontier!
And ah Hun Xen 5,ooo body guards full equip to beat up people and buddhist monk! and for land grabbing!
That the demoncracy handed to Shinanouk by UN! We khmer get shit!
Hey! Ah 1:27 PM,
Ah Eng Chhmuoh ei!
ah chhkae yuon!
These people do it on their own term and they are very very poor. No gov helped and no body helped them. They did their best. Luckily they got $600 each from the King. It's their spirits to compete against all odds. That's the real gold medal which should have been given to them in the first place. Forget about the Olympic medal. So if they lost! So what! Where are those rich kids that have more advantages, more supports from their parents and everything else? Don't we Cambodia have any of this high spirit people from rich family to win and make our country proud? Come on! Get out of your stinky mansion and get out there to compete for one! Cann't wait!
By the way, if we know ahead that our poeple from that very poor condition wanting to compete in the Olympic Game, grant or money from the Government should be provided. So they can betetr take care of themself. Don't we all know that to be able to hire or acquire a real good olympic trainer needs money? or to care for one self spiritually & physiclly in order to be well prepared for it takes money? If they cann't find it in the country, please allow them to hire a foreigner. Never know soon or later will have our own better coach and win!
The way we saw them before the game....cann't say it, but just know that they need helped... bad.
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