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.
