Unit 13: The 22nd Sea Game.The 22nd Southeast Asian Games were held in Vietnam from the 5th to 13th December, 2003.Although it was the first time Vietnam hosted such a big sports event, the Games were a great success.The Games really became a festival that impressed sports enthusiasts with its spirit: solidarity, co-operation for peace and development.Athletes from 11 participating countries competed in 32 sports, and 444 gold medals were won.Some teams such as table tennis, badminton, karatedo, volleyball, basketball and wrestling were composed of top competitors in the region.Many Games records were close to international levels.Vietnam won 158 gold medals to finish at the top of the Southeast Asian Games medal standings.Thailand was ranked second with 90 golds, and Indonesia was third with only 55 golds.Singapore and Vietnam were the two nations which had participants who were presented with the Most Outstanding Athlete titles in the Swimming and Shooting events.The Vietnamese Women’s Football team successfully defended the SEA Games title.The Men’s Football team won a silver medal.In other sports such as karatedo, athletics, bodybuilding and wushu, the young and energetic Vietnamese athletes performed excellently and won a lot of gold medals.Vietnam’s first place finish was not surprising.Firstly, to prepare for the 22nd SEA Games, Vietnam carried out an intensive programme for its athletes, which included training in facilities, both home and abroad.Secondly, with the strong support of their countrymen, the Vietnamese athletes competed in high spirits.The country’s success has proved that Vietnam can organize sporting events on an international level.A plan has been proposed for Vietnam to host the Asia Sports Games at some point in the future. TRANSLATESOK
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