Vietnam Reconsiders key Sports for 2026-2046 Olympics, ASIAD
HANOI (AP) — Vietnam’s sports industry is reassessing its strategy for the 2026-2046 Olympic and ASIAD Games, possibly reducing the number of key sports from 17 to eight.This shift follows expert feedback emphasizing the need to concentrate investment resources for optimal impact.
From Seventeen to Eight: A Strategic Pivot
Initially,the sports industry aimed to prioritize 17 sports,including athletics,shooting,archery,taekwondo,weightlifting,boxing,fencing,gymnastics,cycling,judo,wrestling,swimming,badminton,rowing,karate,wushu,and sepak takraw,for focused development leading up to the major international competitions.
Two-Tiered Approach Initially Envisioned
The original plan divided these sports into two groups.The first group comprised eight sports—shooting, archery, weightlifting, taekwondo, boxing, fencing, rowing, and badminton—identified as having the highest potential for Olympic medals. Approximately 100 to 110 athletes in these disciplines were slated for extensive overseas training.
The second group included nine sports considered promising for ASIAD medals: athletics, judo, karate, wushu, gymnastics, wrestling, swimming, sepak takraw, and cycling. Investment in this group, involving 65 to 70 athletes, was planned to encompass a combination of domestic training and short-term international training and competitions.
Expert Feedback Prompts Re-evaluation
A recent workshop, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Vietnam Sports Governance, revealed that experts voiced concerns about diluting resources across too many sports. They advocated for a more streamlined approach, focusing on a smaller number of truly ”key” sports to maximize the effectiveness of available funding.
Concentrating Resources for Greater Impact
In response to this feedback, the sports industry is now recalculating the number of key sports to be included in the development program for the Olympics and ASIAD. the expected reduction from 17 to eight represents a important change in strategy,aimed at concentrating resources and building a stronger foundation for success in targeted sporting disciplines.
Vietnam Rethinks Sports Strategy: Focus on Olympic and Asian games Gold
HANOI (AP) — Vietnam is reassessing its sports priorities, narrowing its focus to sports with the highest potential for medals at the Olympic Games and Asian Games (ASIAD). The move aims to improve the country’s chances of securing gold on the international stage, shifting from simply aiming to “win medals” to actively competing for the top spot.
Key Sports Under Review for 2026-2046
The Vietnam Sports Administration is currently evaluating which sports should be prioritized in the “Program for Developing Key Sports for Preparation to Participate in the Olympics and ASIAD in the Period 2026-2046.” The final plan will be submitted to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for government approval.
Olympics: Sharper Focus Needed
Experts suggest a reduction in the number of key sports receiving funding. currently,only weightlifting and shooting are considered strong contenders for Olympic medals. Other sports like archery, taekwondo, boxing, fencing, rowing and badminton have not consistently demonstrated the potential to compete for Olympic medals in the near future.
Taekwondo, despite a silver medal win at the 2000 Olympics, has struggled to regain its position among Olympic contenders. even with significant investment, it could take two Olympic cycles for the team to consistently compete for direct qualification, let alone a medal.
Asian Games: A More Realistic Approach
For the Asian Games, specifically the upcoming 2026 edition, sports like karate, sepak takraw, wushu, and potentially rowing, are identified as having the best chances for gold. Other sports, including athletics, judo, wrestling, swimming, and gymnastics, have historically offered limited opportunities for gold medal victories, and their current teams face challenges in securing top finishes at ASIAD.
Vietnam Re-evaluates Sports Investment strategy After Inconsistent Olympic and ASIAD Performances
HANOI — vietnam is carefully reassessing its investment strategy for high-performance sports, aiming to secure more medals at future Olympic Games and Asian games (ASIAD).This strategic shift follows inconsistent performance in past international competitions, prompting a focus on fewer core sports with significant medal potential.
Shift in Focus: Concentrating Resources on Key Sports
The new strategy prioritizes directing funds towards sports where Vietnamese athletes have the strongest potential to win gold medals at the ASIAD and medals at the Olympics. Officials are meticulously evaluating which sports deserve priority investment.
Financial Commitment: Significant Investment Planned
Vietnam plans to invest approximately 175-180 billion VND per year per sport (roughly $7-7.2 million USD) across 17 key sports from 2026 to 2030. Further budget increases of 10% are planned for subsequent periods, 2030-2036 and 2036-2046. This financial commitment aims to provide the necessary resources for athletes to achieve success at the Olympic and ASIAD levels.
Performance History: Glories and Inconsistencies
Vietnamese athletes have achieved notable success at the olympics, securing medals in shooting (1 gold, 1 silver at the 2016 Olympics), weightlifting (1 silver in 2008, 1 bronze in 2012), and Taekwondo (1 silver in 2000). At the ASIAD, Vietnam has earned 19 gold medals across various sports.
At the most recent 19th ASIAD, Vietnamese athletes secured three gold medals in Karate, Sepak Takraw and Shooting. Historically, ASIAD gold medals have also been won in Taekwondo, Billiards, Bodybuilding, Wushu, Athletics, Rowing and Pencak Silat.
Despite these successes,Vietnamese sport performance has been inconsistent at both the Olympic Games and the ASIAD,prompting the need for a more strategic and focused investment approach.
What criteria will be used to select the final eight prioritized sports,beyond just medal potential?
VietnamS Olympic & ASIAD Strategy: Q&A
Vietnam is revamping it’s sports strategy,aiming for more medals at the Olympics and Asian Games (ASIAD). Here’s a breakdown of the key changes:
Q&A
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Q: Why is Vietnam changing its sports strategy?
A: To maximize medal potential at the olympics and ASIAD. Past performance has been inconsistent, prompting a shift towards concentrating resources on sports with a higher chance of success.
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Q: What sports were initially considered for focused development?
A: Athletics, shooting, archery, taekwondo, weightlifting, boxing, fencing, gymnastics, cycling, judo, wrestling, swimming, badminton, rowing, karate, wushu, and sepak takraw.
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Q: How many sports are expected to be prioritized now?
A: The plan is to reduce the number of key sports from 17 to around eight.
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Q: What are some of the sports considered potential medal winners at the Olympics?
A: Weightlifting and shooting are currently seen as the strongest contenders for Olympic medals.
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Q: Which sports are expected to bring gold medals at the Asian Games (ASIAD)?
A: Karate, sepak takraw, wushu, and possibly rowing are considered strong contenders for gold at the Asian Games.
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Q: How much investment is planned per sport per year?
A: Vietnam plans to invest approximately 175-180 billion VND per year per sport (roughly $7-7.2 million USD) from 2026 to 2030.
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Q: What are some of Vietnam’s past Olympic achievements?
A: Vietnam has won Olympic medals in shooting (1 gold), weightlifting (1 silver, 1 bronze), and Taekwondo (1 silver).
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Q: What’s the importance of the 2000 Taekwondo silver medal?
A: It marked a significant moment in Vietnamese sports history and highlights the potential of Taekwondo despite recent challenges.
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Q: What is the goal of this strategic shift?
A: To improve Vietnam’s chances of securing gold medals on the international stage by focusing investment and training on the sports with the highest medal potential.
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Q: What are the next steps for this plan?
A: The final plan will be submitted to the Ministry of Culture,Sports and Tourism for government approval.
Vietnam’s strategic shift underscores a commitment to excellence. With a sharper focus, the nation aims to elevate its presence in the world of sports.Stay tuned for the official declaration of the prioritized sports and the impact on Vietnamese athletes!
