Among the members are 18 athletes: Nguyen Huy Hoang, Nguyen Thi Anh Vien (swimming), Thach Kim Tuan, Hoang Thi Duyen (weightlifting), Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy (judo), Hoang Xuan Vinh (shooting), Nguyen Tien Minh, Nguyen Thuy Linh (badminton), Nguyen Thi Tam, Nguyen Van Duong (boxing), Le Thanh Tung, Dinh Phuong Thanh (gymnastic), Truong Thi Kim Tuyen (taekwondo), Do Thi Anh Nguyet, Nguyen Hoang Phi Vu (archery), Quach Thi Lan (athletics) and Luong Thi Thao, along with Dinh Thi Hao (rowing).
Vietnam originally had three slots for weightlifting at the Olympics this year, but due to a doping ban by the International Weightlifting Federation, one slot would be taken away. Since Thach Kim Tuan is the only male weightlifter, one of the two female lifters, Hoang Thi Duyen and Vuong Thi Huyen, had to stay home, although neither were involved in the doping scandal. The IWF on Wednesday removed Huyen from the Olympics list.
Over the past three years, four Vietnamese weightlifters have been banned for doping.
Tran Duc Phan, deputy director of the Physical Education and Sports Department and leader of the Vietnam delegation to Tokyo told Thanh Nien Newspaper it is one of the most special Olympic events, since the pandemic has affected hosts Japan as well as participating delegations, including Vietnam.
To guarantee safety in Tokyo, the Vietnam delegation as well as others will only be allowed to travel to permitted accommodation and training facilities. The Vietnam delegation will also have to quarantine for three days upon arrival in Japan and test negative for Covid-19.
The Tokyo Olympics will take place from July 18 to Aug. 13. The Vietnam delegation is set to go to Japan on July 13.