Speaking to Lao Dong on the morning of January 21, Mr. Nguyen Hai Duong - Chairman of the Vietnam Rowing Federation said: "Although Nguyen Thi Huong has asked to stop practicing locally, this athlete is still a member of the Federation. Huong is still guaranteed all rights of the Federation and the team. All upcoming national and international competition plans of this rower will not change."
Previously, canoeist Nguyen Thi Huong confirmed to Lao Dong: "I asked to stop practicing in the canoe racing department of the Vinh Phuc team due to delays in receiving bonuses and nutritional support."
The rower born in 2001 has sent a letter to the Board of Directors of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vinh Phuc province; the Board of Directors of the Vinh Phuc Province Sports Training and Competition Center; and the Vinh Phuc Province Rowing Department Coaching Board to request a leave of absence from training.
The reason Nguyen Thi Huong gave was that she had not received the medal prize money from domestic competitions from 2022 to 2024, as well as the 2024 nutritional support money from the locality. In the application, she also said that she was old and her family circumstances did not allow her to continue pursuing her passion.
It is known that Nguyen Thi Huong's parent unit Vinh Phuc is facing difficulties. Previously, on December 23, 2024, the Vinh Phuc Provincial Sports Training and Competition Center announced the suspension of regular training of sports teams, starting from December 24, 2024 until regular funding is provided.
After the suspension of training, athletes are handed over to their families for this period. The family is responsible for all activities of the athlete.
Nguyen Thi Huong was born in 2001 in Vinh Phuc. She won 5 gold medals in the 200m, 500m, and 1000m single sculls; and was part of the 4-person sculls team that won gold medals in the 500m and 1000m at the 31st SEA Games.
In 2024, this rower will attend the 2024 Paris Olympics as the first Vietnamese athlete to officially compete in an Olympic canoeing event. She also won a silver medal at the Asian Speed Canoeing Championship.
With the above achievements, Nguyen Thi Huong was honored in the category of Impressive Young Face in the Sports field at the VTV Awards 2024 ceremony and was "Young Athlete of the Year" at the Victory Cup 2024.
