It's hard to believe that the SEA Games have come and gone already. After so much anticipation and a daily countdown just around the corner from the Embassy, how could they be over already? I'm glad we waited to write this blog as a postscript because the tone and sentiment may have been very different fifteen days ago on the eve of the games. Today, I can look back at the Games and say that Laos should feel tremendous pride about what they accomplished from both an organizational and athletic perspective.
The Games appear to be an unqualified success. The Lao athletes delivered 33 gold medals and a total of 110 medals. My favorite story had to be of the young Lao female weightlifter who won a gold after lifting 82 kilos over her head. She only started training nine months ago after some of the organizers came to her school and asked for volunteers. The Lao were most excited about their football team who captivated the nation (streets in Vientiane were literally deserted during the games) and finished a surprising and admirable fourth.
I can't help but think (and hope) that we witnessed the beginning of a new stage in Lao history. A country stepping onto the international/regional stage and uniting around the efforts and success of its athletes. How many children watched the Games and thought, "I want to become an athlete."? Plus the Lao organizers put to rest any doubts about their ability to host the Games. Sure, there were some minor issues but it seems that most observers thought the games were unique and charming. The best article I read about the Games can be found here.
We attended Laos' first soccer match against Myanmar which ended in a spirited draw. We also watched some of the swimming finals a week later.
The SEA Games Flame
Pre-soccer match
The coveted tickets
The action on the field
The crowd goes wild...
The final score
The scene from the swimming pavilion
Off the blocks
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