Lam Quang Nhat: 'Internal competition before SEA Games is unusual'

The two-time SEA Games champion swimmer refused to participate in the internal competition, accepting to give up the chance to defend his gold medal.

On the morning of August 8, according to the schedule, swimmer Lam Quang Nhat, the reigning SEA Games champion in the 1,500m event, had to go to the Thu Duc National Sports Training Center to compete internally with Kim Son and Huy Hoang to compete for two places to the 29th SEA Games. However, the 20-year-old swimmer from Ho Chi Minh City did not obey the order, but stayed at the Yet Kieu Swimming Center (District 1) to practice with foreign experts and the coaching staff of his training group.

On the morning of August 8, Lam Quang Nhat was still practicing at Yet Kieu Center. Photo: Duc Dong.

- How did you feel when you received the request to compete internally with two other teammates to win a place at the 2017 SEA Games?

- I was shocked and felt it was unreasonable. I had just returned from a training trip in Kunming (China) and was in a good mood because the preparation for the 29th SEA Games, where I was determined to win the third consecutive gold medal, was going very positively. Therefore, when I received the request to compete internally so close to the SEA Games, I felt surprised.

- Why did you accept the option of not competing internally, even though it could lead to many consequences?

- Each athlete has a different training direction according to the expert's training plan and each individual team.Recently, Kim Son and Huy Hoang have been very active in competing and have had progressive results.Ohjust focus on training, focus on peak performance during the SEA Games.Competing internally right before the official tournament could disrupt my own plans, as well as Kim Son and Huy Hoang’s. Vietnam’s performance at the SEA Games could therefore be affected. Therefore, I chose not to participate, so that the two of them could practice at their own pace.

- What do you think about the Vietnamese swimming team's coaching board proposing an internal competition to select athletes for this SEA Games?

- I have no comment, because internal inspection is normal in Vietnam as well as in the world. But the incident happened just 10 days before the SEA Games and I only received a few days' notice. That is unusual. No coach or athlete can prepare. At the top level, you can't just say that you can make adjustments right away.

This plan should be announced 6 months to a year in advance so that teams can calculate their performance. At that time, internal competition is also fine.

The defending champion faces the risk of not being able to participate in the 29th SEA Games. Photo:Duc Dong.

- What do you plan to do if you cannot compete in your specialty 1,500m?

- If that happens, I may have to accept competing in other events, but I can only see the SEA Games as a training ground for the next tournaments.

- What if I am disciplined and not allowed to attend the SEA Games?

- I am waiting for the opportunity to score a hat-trick of individual gold medals at this SEA Games. But if I am disciplined, I am willing to accept it, stay home to give Kim Son and Huy Hoang the opportunity to develop their talents.If we try to compete for a place in the SEA Games, after that tournament, my training plan and the coaching staff’s for the past two years will be in vain. Not to mention the impact on Kim Son and Huy Hoang’s plans.

- Many people think that internal competition is fair, because Kim Son and Huy Hoang currently surpass your achievements at SEA Games 2015. So what is your best achievement during the recent training period?

- I cannot reveal because training and competition are always different. I only know to practice hard according to the training plan of experts and the coaching staff. The results are researched and updated by the coaching staff and the answer will only be available after the tournament.

According to VNE