The Vietnam Olympic Committee and the British Embassy have agreed to work together in organizing sport activities in Vietnam to promote the London 2012 Olympics from now and for the next 12 months.

  British Ambassador to Vietnam, Dr. Antony Stokes, met with Prof. Hoang Vinh Giang, Secretary General of the Vietnam Olympic Committee in Hanoi July 22 to discuss preparations for the Olympics, set for July next year, and Paralympics, as well as further sport cooperation activities between the two countries.

 “This is an important milestone for the 2012 Olympic Games. 365 days from now the world will be watching as the opening ceremony sets the stage for the London Olympic and Paralympic Games. Our countdown will begin,” Ambassador Stokes said in a statement dated July 27.

 According to Stokes, construction of the major venues is complete, a year ahead of Games time and the UK is ready to deliver a great summer of sport and culture.

 “This is a great opportunity for us to strengthen our relationship not only in sports but also in culture and education,” he said.

 Giang said that Vietnam aims to send about 30 their top athletes to the London Olympics. “Our target is not only to win medals but also to be an integral part of Olympic experience in London,” he said.

 "We thank the British Embassy Hanoi for offering support and we look forward to exploring the opportunities to make Vietnam’s participation in the Olympics a success,” Giang said.

(Vietnamnet)