Bangkok, 14 December 2025 – The Vietnam Sports Delegation has moved quickly to address an incident involving swimmer Vo Thi My Tien, who broke down in tears after winning a silver medal in the women’s 400m individual medley at SEA Games 33 on the evening of December 13.
According to information from the delegation, senior officials have held direct discussions with leaders of the Vietnam Aquatic Sports Association to clarify the situation and exchange views on athlete management and support during the Games.
The incident occurred on the medal podium shortly after the conclusion of the women’s 400m individual medley ceremony. After completing the official protocol, a senior representative of the Aquatic Sports Association approached Vo Thi My Tien for a brief exchange. Moments later, the 20-year-old swimmer became visibly emotional and burst into tears. Just seconds earlier, she had still been smiling while receiving her silver medal.
Since Nguyen Thi Anh Vien retired from competition, Vietnamese women’s swimming has yet to win another gold medal at the SEA Games, placing significant pressure on the current generation. As the most prominent female swimmer of the national team at just 20 years old, My Tien has been carrying particularly heavy expectations, both from the sport and from the public.
After learning of the situation, the leadership of the Vietnam Sports Delegation proactively engaged with the Aquatic Sports Association to ensure a shared understanding and unified approach in athlete care at SEA Games 33. The delegation stressed that team leaders and representatives of federations and associations should prioritize encouragement, emotional support, and companionship for athletes, not only during competition but throughout the entire preparation and participation process.
“The leadership of the Vietnam Sports Delegation hopes that team officials and representatives of federations and associations will show greater empathy, encouragement, and support for athletes throughout their training and competition at SEA Games 33,” a delegation representative stated.
SEA Games 33 is a major regional sporting event where athletes face intense pressure related to performance, mental resilience, and public expectations. Proper attention to athletes’ psychological well-being is considered a crucial factor in helping them compete with stability and fully realize their professional potential.
The Vietnam Sports Delegation reaffirmed that it will continue to work closely with federations and associations to ensure a positive and supportive competitive environment, creating the best possible conditions for athletes to focus on performing, contributing, and fulfilling their responsibilities at SEA Games 33.
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