Lao athletes paraded with the flaming torch on Tuesday to promote the upcoming 32nd Southeast Asian Games that will be held in Cambodia from May 5-17.
Vientiane Mai reports that over 1,500 athletes, para-athletics, and individuals ran a six-kilometer stretch from the Embassy of Cambodia to the That Luang Stupa in Vientiane Capital with the flaming torch.
Laos is the last country to host the torch before it makes its way back to Cambodia after being hosted by other ASEAN nations participating in the SEA Games. Mr. Atsaphangthong Siphandone, Mayor of Vientiane Capital, said that the torch relay was an important symbol of ASEAN support for the sporting event and also crucial to its success.
Over 500 athletes from Laos will participate in 32 sports in the competition, with 445 men and 131 women aiming to win at least five medals.
Para-athletics from Laos are also gearing up to participate in the 12th ASEAN Para Games Games from 3 to 9 June this year with 89 athletes competing in 7 sports, including running, swimming, weight lifting, goalball, basketball, boccia, and blind football.
From 26 to 27 April, the torch relay will pass through Pakse City, Champasack Province, cross the border, and enter Cambodia. On 28 April it will return to the capital of Phnom Penh where the SEA games will be held. The torch will also be paraded through Cambodian provinces ahead of the games.
The torch relay started off in Vietnam and moved on to the Philippines, Indonesia, Timor Leste, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos.
