Racer Nguyen Thi That burst into tears when seeing the Vietnamese flag at the 2024 Olympics

Racer Nguyen Thi That shares a touching story on the women's start track at the 2024 Olympics.

The moment the Vietnamese flag was cheered by fans on the side of the road for racer Nguyen Thi That at the 2024 Paris Olympics - Photo: FBNV

On the night of August 4, racer Nguyen Thi That finished the women's companion start in 73rd place out of 93 with a time of 4 hours 10 minutes 47 seconds. There were 14/93 racers who did not complete this event on the course (DNF). One day after finishing the race, the racer born in 1993 posted a status on her personal page. She apologized to her fans in her country for not being able to do better than expected and told a touching story. Nguyen Thi That wrote: " The first time I participated in the Olympic race, there were many emotions that I still feel happy when I think about. I know that the steep mountain pass is not my forte, but that does not mean I will be content and give up. During the race, I saw a foreigner holding the Vietnamese flag and shouting "Vietnam, go!". I burst into tears. I really cried while racing. I cannot describe the emotions at that time even though I was very tired. From the bottom of my heart, I would like to send my sincere thanks to those who always followed, accompanied and encouraged That throughout the race for more than 4 hours.

Thank you to my friends, teammates, and volunteers for always loving and helping me travel and practice in Paris. Through the race here, That felt the patriotism of the Vietnamese people living in France. Thank you all so much for always looking towards the flag and always being proud to be Vietnamese. Finally, That would like to apologize for not being able to do better as everyone expected. And thank you for always accompanying and loving That and Vietnamese bicycles."

Cyclist Nguyen Thi That (red shirt) finished 73rd out of 93 in the women's joint start event of the 2024 Olympic road cycling event - Photo: SCA

In the 2024 Olympic women's start event , Nguyen Thi That was not considered to have the ability to compete for a medal. Because the opponents were all top racers in the world such as Lotte Kopecky (Belgium), Vollering Demi, Wiebes Lorena, Vos Marianne (Netherlands), Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy) or the reigning champion Anna Kiesenhofer (Austria). At the finish line, a surprise happened when the first-time Olympic racer Faulkner Kristen (USA) won the gold medal with a time of 3 hours 59 minutes 23 seconds.

Nguyen Thi That was born in 1993, practicing cycling since the age of 14 after being discovered by coach Ngo Quoc Tien and selected to join the An Giang youth team. Nguyen Thi That's best achievement is the silver medal at the 2014 Asiad, three times Asian champion (2018, 2022 and 2023). From the perspective of a Southeast Asian racer, That's career has long been fulfilled when she won gold medals in 5 consecutive SEA Games. She is also the first Vietnamese female racer to compete abroad (after the 2018 Asiad) and has achieved many successes.

Tuoitre.vn

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tay-dua-nguyen-thi-that-bat-khoc-khi-thay-co-viet-nam-tai-olympic-2024-20240805230948918.htm