Cambodian runner to depart for Beijing Paralymics on Sept. 1
26/8/2008 17:26
Kim Vanna, 40-year-old Cambodian runner who lost his right leg below the
knee in a landmine explosion in 1989, will depart for Beijing on Sept. 1, for
the Paralympic Games from Sept. 6 to 17, local media said today.
Vanna will
compete in the 100- and 200-meter races at the games, English-Khmer language
newspaper the Cambodia Daily quoted Yi Veasna, secretary general of the National
Paralymic Committee of Cambodia, as saying.
Kim Vanna was selected by the
committee on the basis of the silver medal he had won at the ASEAN Para Games in
Thailand earlier this year, said Yi Veasna.
"He is our national athlete
selection for 2008. He has the most recent medal from the ASEAN Games," he said,
adding that the government had recently awarded him US$4,000 for his silver
medal.
Meanwhile, China has agreed to subsidize 60 percent of the airfare for
Kim Vanna and his accompanying assistant and National Bank of Cambodia governor
Chea Chanto also donated US$500, he added.
Kim Vanna has so far won 18 medals
in international competitions, three golds, 10 silvers and five bronzes, and the
Beijing trip will be the first time that he attends Paralymic
Games.
Xinhua
|
